The Usage of Smartphone Photography and Its Impact on Professional Photography in Ghana

Abstract

The focus of the study was to explore and examine the effects of smartphone usage on the services of professional photographers in Ghana. The study employed interview, focus group discussion and observation to gather qualitative data from six (6) professional photographers in Sekondi/Takoradi metropolis of Ghana. The purposive sampling technique was used to select the participants as well as the study areas. The study revealed that the adoption of smartphone photography is increasingly becoming pervasive and trendy in the midst of professional digital photography practice, such that both professional and non-professional photographers express their delight in the technology. The findings revealed that in Ghana, majority of people adopt and use smartphones for photography for various reasons, the convenient and easy accessibility of the smartphone in taking photographs and perceived usefulness of smartphone technology in photography. The study also revealed that the usage of the smartphone tends to have a significant effect on professional photography, such as the training for the practitioner, patronage of professional photographic services, competition and battling for space at programmes. Despite the challenges the emergence of smartphones has increased awareness and the demand for photography thereby promoting personalised digital photography.The study, however, concludes that by and large, smartphone photography has emerged to thrive in the social system. It is recommended that professional photographers should adopt mobile application technology to enhance their activities, build their business and take advantage to extend their professionalism into smartphone photography.