Experts woo younger generations to photography career

In commemoration of this year’s Photography Day, photojournalists in the country have stressed the need for GenZs and younger generations to take interest in photography.

They spoke at the 2024 World Photography Day organised by the Guild of Photojournalists Nigeria held at the premises of Nigeria Institute of Journalism (NIJ), Ogba, Lagos.

Chairman of the Guild, AbiodunAjala, said various schools in Lagos and Ogun states were invited to participate in the programme.

Ajala said, “we are trying to make them know what photography is all about. Those days, people taught photography was meant for drop outs .But these days, there is a lot of money in the profession. It depends on the area you want focus on. So, the upcoming generation must be focused and resilient.”

He added the Photography Day is celebrated to foster global community, celebrate innovation and ideas.

Saying social media is not a threat to photography, he added, “Photography is the truth but social media photography can be doctored or interposed.”

The guest speaker, AkintundeAkinleye, recalled he just returned from Osogbo and saw a large number of upcoming photographers. “I was very happy that people are beginning to recognise what we do as photographers. They don’t really need to start looking for jobs. Once you can hold a camera, you can begin to create jobs for yourselves.”

To me, “more young people should look into it and see how they can go into photography and create jobs for themselves.”

Speaking further, he added one of the things photography does is to keep memory of people, ‘and that is why I think Photography Day is worth celebrating.’

Concerning social media, he said, “it has helped what we do in photography. Social media can’t survive without image. Photography also needs a platform to distribute. So, the medium and message are intertwined. If the message is with you and no platform to distribute it, then what is the essence of the message?”

Deputy Provost NIJ, Boye Ola, said this year’s theme is: ‘An entire day’. He added the theme was conceived to see what photographers can come up with taking pictures within 24 hours.

To the don, “it’s a way of boosting the adrenaline of photographers to take pictures.”

There was also the ‘catch them young’ session where quiz were asked and gifts presented to winners. The Young Photographers Club was, thereafter, inaugurated.

There was photography exhibition, where award winning pictures were displayed.

Earlier, members of the Guild embarked on Awareness Walk from Federal Road Safety Corps office Ojodu through Omole to NIJ office, Ogba, Lagos.