By Israel Babalola
Obviously, more than a billion photographs are uploaded and shared daily via platforms such as Instagram, Snapchat, Facebook, WhatsApp, amidst others which has totally influenced the rapid growth media is currently experiencing. Image catches the attention of people more than written words and, this is a major reason graphics designs are created with images only to include very few words.
In mass media, imagery (photography) plays a vital role in its expansion. How we promptly view information passed across through the use of images, whether it’s an advert or a promotion goes a very long way. In fact, our present day generation relies so much on pictures both to understand a message and to pass a message across. Even when we read newspapers, or online publications, we consciously or unconsciously check the pictures first, before choosing whether or not to read the text. Some people just stare at the pictures, read the headlines / captions, and move on to the next news or story. When browsing through a magazine, the images for an article leads us to understand what the article is all about.
Photography can be said to be an art and technology of producing images either on a surface or its digital counterpart i.e. , hard copy and soft copy. Photography allows for easy communication with or without words written on it.
The proverbial saying ‘Action speaks louder than words,’ could be directly applied in this context. Because, photography doesn’t deal with your words, but your actions displayed or captured as an image on a surface or its digital counterpart.
Photography has been the fuel of media so far, because it also speaks to the best, most generous and humorous parts of the human nature. Imagery has done a lot of redirecting to many radio programs, TV shows, magazines etc. Part of the audience the media gains is as a result of the images they have shared via e-fliers, bill boards, artworks, etc. amidst others.
Photography is really becoming one of the new media reforms that changes the perception and structure of the society. It is actually leading the digital revolution in media today, especially with the advent of digital photography.