Professional photography has been the new wave for some time now but let’s be honest, there are photographers and there are picture takers.
Social media has come in handy for many of these lensmen; who get to showcase their work on various social media platforms such as Instagram and Facebook. Some others though, will rather stick to the conventional “take and print” or just give their filmed works to their respective clients.
What makes a good photographer however is not the number of followers on social media but how much details and quality goes into their final product.
From camera angles, lens control, location and of course retouching, more work is needed to bring out the perfect picture.
In Ghana notable photographers include Bob Pixel and Ben Bond but one of the finest in the game, Humphrey Nii Doku, founder of Afropolitan Imagery takes the spotlight today.
Afropolitan Imagery which was coined out of a desire to put emphasis on ordinary experiences in Africa has been operational since April 2013.
With its mother brand, AD-PALACE still in business, Humphrey’s Afropolitan Imagery concentrates on bringing out the beauty in models, nature, wild life and capturing events.
Humphrey who has had the opportunity to travel around West and East Africa because of his job says his favourite places to work include Addisa Ababa in Ethiopia, Nairobi in Kenya, Zanzibar in Tanzania and of course Accra, Ghana.
According to him, having understudied an Ethopian-based German, Ephrem Gino for years, he has added a professional touch to his work which most Ghanaian photographers lack.
The 29-year-old believes photographers must be able to see the beauty in everything and allow their pictures to speak to the masses. He is inspired by his passion for art, the drive to make change and impact, admiration for his work and the satisfaction from clients. It is therefore little wonder that his short term aim is to focus on photo journalism. This according to him will enable him to capture captivating moments that will tell great stories, drive development, sell the rich Ghanaian culture and effect positive changes in the lives of many.
Outside Ghana, Humphrey dreams of working with the likes of Famous French and Johannesburg-based photographers, Fouad Maazouz and Justin Dingwall; and US based Ghanaian photographer Jeremaine Gibbs who are making a statement with their photography. But back home, he says an opportunity to work with renowned Ghanaian photographer, Bob Pixel will be a dream come true.
Founder and leader of the International Central Gospel Church, Mensa Otabil, Leader of Action Chapel International and Archbishop Nicholas Duncan Williams top the list of personalities he’d love to capture with his lens.
With a strong love for nature, Humphrey says he would love to tour Africa and the world at large, taking pictures of all the beautiful natural sites these places can boast of and climax it with a trip to Nzulenzu, the ‘village on water’ here in Ghana.
He also plans to operate a photo agency here in Ghana within the next 5 years where young talents will be taught and encouraged to look beyond the money and fame that comes with being a photographer and rather concentrate on taking conceptual pictures that will help their work stand out.
He is currently the official photographer for Nigeria Most Beauty, Ghana brand and has niched a place for himself in the entertainment space.
Humphrey is a strong Christian, who devotes most of his spare time to shooting in church as a member of PotterCity’s media team. He is single and believes the African story can better be told by Africans and only through photography.
Source: www.ghanaweb.com
