By; JACOB ONJEWU DICKSON
Kelechi Amadi-Obi, a foremost Nigerian creative photographer, has called on arts enthusiasts to produce quality works to make their works acceptable anywhere in the world in other to benefit from the enormous economic opportunities in the sector.
Amadi-Obi, a renowned painter and author made the call in a keynote speech delivered at the maiden Southeast Photography Exhibition in Awka organised by Natesa Consulting, a Strategic Communication and Public Relations firm in collaboration with Anambra Government.
The photography exhibition entitled “The Forgotten Country” featured a total of 35 works which aligned with the theme.
Amadi-Obi said photography is a money spinner in foreign currencies, with the entire global community as its audience and market.
He said rare imagery like landscape and cityscape, produced with good combinations of and colours would appeal to people in other parts of the world.
Amadi-Obi urged photographers to leverage the internet platform for marketing their works adding that they should exercise patience for people who knew the worth of their works to see them.
“Any work of creativity, especially visual art is money, all they have to do is to master the skills of visuality, understanding composition, knowing the best colour and light combinations that will make your work stand out.
“Photography is at the heart of advertising, image branding and storytelling. The opportunities in visual arts have not been explored, those in photography should begin to like what they are doing and resolve to give the world their best.
“How you can make money from photography is unlimited, you can, through assignment photography telling people’s story, from prints and by selling limited licensed digital images and by teaching people like I am doing now,” he said.
Amadi-Obi encouraged people who were into photography and other visual arts to study the copyright law, so they could know how to patent their works and protect their intellectual property.
“Most people are leaving money on the table because of their inability to exploit illegal copying of their works.
They should read the copyright law and know his they can protect their intellectual property,” he said.
Ms Ifeoma Nnamani,a representative of, Centre for Memories, Enugu said the photography exhibition was in tune with activities of her organisation while expressing confidence that it would open up opportunities for professional and budding creative artists.
Nnamani commended Natesa and assured that said the Centre was ready to partner the firm for the development of documentary and commercial photography
On her part, Augusta Nnadi, Co-Founder of Natesa Consulting said the exhibition was to give attendees the opportunity to enjoy arts, celebrate culture and have a good time as they learnt how to maximise the potential of documentary photography.
She assured that Natesa would continue to support creative artists and provide them with the platform to showcase their works.
She commended their partners, the Anambra Government and Centre for Memories for their support and commitment towards developing the creative arts sector.
Declaring the exhibition open, Chief Don Onyenji, Commissioner for Culture Entertainment and Tourism said the Gov. Chukwuma Soludo had provided the enabling environment for culture and tourism to thrive.
Onyenji said the tourism potentials were being harnessed with the development of Ogbunike Cave, Igboukwu Museum, the Solution Fun City among others.
He encouraged photographers and artist to take greater interest in the job because it was lucrative
“Images are the best way to tell stories many times and store memories,” he said.
