Symbolic representations social media and photography in Nigeria

Abstract

The medium of “photography” has encompassed the world, but depending on the cultural context, it has different aesthetics that come with different associations and implications. Using social media as an example, this article explores how the social conventions of art influence popular Nigerian photography and create a unique style: there is a strong focus on the staging of people, who are usually shown in front of simple backgrounds as full body shots, whereas in a comparison group, people appeared more integrated in situations or places and there was more preference for narrower cuts. In addition, Nigerian photography places a lot of emphasis on color and heavy retouching. These aspects are consistent with African art in general, which is often more concerned with conveying abstract concepts than authenticity. In this way, Nigerians appropriated photography in their own way, emphasizing the symbolic rather than the indexical function of photography. Nigerian popular photography can be understood as a continuation of classical African art rather than a break with its tradition.

Keywords

• identity
• photography
• social media
• aesthetics
• Nigeria