Photographes et laborantins en détresse : un secteur fragilisé par les charges et la concurrence du smartphone
The photography industry is going through a profound crisis. Between soaring costs, a drop in clients, and massive competition from smartphones, photographers and lab technicians are now struggling to keep their businesses afloat. In printing labs, the unease is palpable: those involved denounce a neglected sector, where everyone is just trying to survive as best they can.
In laboratories, costs are skyrocketing and profit margins are shrinking dangerously. “We pay staff, business licenses that run between 50,000 and 100,000 CFA francs, rent that costs me 100,000 CFA francs a month… Electricity is exorbitantly expensive, and the announced price reductions only apply to vulnerable households,” laments a visibly discouraged lab technician. Added to these fixed costs is the rising price of supplies: “A roll of photographic paper has gone from 30,000 to 45,000 CFA francs. The expenses are enormous; we can’t make ends meet anymore. The government has forgotten about us,” he continues. Some are even considering leaving: “At this rate, we risk going to Gambia or somewhere else, where we might be better off.”
The crisis is also straining relations between lab technicians and photographers, traditionally complementary partners. “I sell the print for 150 FCFA. They resell it for 500 FCFA. They make 350 FCFA while we bear all the costs,” laments one lab technician. The situation is just as alarming for photographers. Khadâ Dansokho observes a rapid decline in their business: “The profession is no longer viable. Mobile phones are causing us to lose huge amounts of revenue. We're missing out on many photojournalism assignments because of smartphones,” he explains. He calls for a reorganization of the sector and genuine support from the government to restore a balanced collaboration with lab technicians.
Faced with this crisis, some photographers are trying to reinvent themselves. Sadio Coulibaly, who has become a street photographer, crisscrosses the neighborhoods every day in search of events. "I manage as best I can. I even sometimes go to gold mining sites," he explains, a forced adaptation to cope with the competition from smartphones.
All stakeholders agree on the same urgent need: without collective organization and public support, the professions of photographer and lab technician could gradually disappear. They are calling for strengthened dialogue, better structuring of the profession, and support measures to save a sector that has long provided jobs and income.
Commentaires (3)
J avais ouvert plus de 36 labo photos est plus de 140 employés. dans toutes les régions du Sénégal y compris les pays limitrophes
Malheureusement .vue l arrivé des smartphones.est aussi le numérique.meme les photos identités a 90%. Se fond directement par les services public (ex pour les CIN .passeports permis. Est les consulats .) Ce qui a contribué à la chute des laboratoires.est les photographes.
Jdebut 2023 , j ai était obligé de fermer est licencié. Tout le monde
Courage pour les labos qui tiennent encore
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