topics
tools
Expatica countries
Index Last Var.(%)
BEL 20 2270.63 -0.42
DAX 6788.8 0.59
IBEX 30 8902.1 0.60
CAC 40 3424.71 0.43
FTSE 100 5895.47 0.33
AEX 325.12 -0.06
DJIA 12890.46 0.05
Nasdaq 2927.23 0.39
FTSE MIB 16653.83 -0.09
TSX Composite 12497.94 -0.18
ASX 4322.6 -0.79
Hang seng 20811.96 -0.94
Straits Times 2968.49 -0.43
ISEQ 20 503.71 0.33
You are here: Home News Belgian News Belgium's snappers fear digital demise
Enlarge font Decrease font Text size


30/07/2004Belgium's snappers fear digital demise

30 July 2004

BRUSSELS - Professional photographers in Belgium have expressed concern that the boom in digital cameras could put them out of business.

As digital models become cheaper and produce even better quality pictures, some traditional photographers have even decided to shut up shop.

"The number of camera films being developed has dropped by 35 percent," said the president of the national association of professional photographers told the Friday edition of La Derniere Heure newspaper.

"Supermarkets have already made things harder but now it is becoming impossible," he said.

Other professionals have been less alarmist.

"The big players will always be successful because of their cheaper prices but craftsmen like me will survive because of our service," said Carlos Martinez, owner of Rush on the boulevard Adolphe Max in Brussels.

"Every photo I develop, whether digitally assisted or from traditional film, is seen and corrected," he said.

However, Rush has little by little lost its professional customers.

Professional photographers used to account for 50 percent of the firm's business.

Now the figure is just ten percent.

The general public has remained faithful to the small business.

"At the moment 80 percent of my activity is devoted to classical film, which still has a good future ahead of it," said Martinez.

A further sign of the growth of digital photography can be found at chain store Media Markt, which has seen a 30 percent rise in sales since last year.

"We can expect to see a ten to twenty percent growth in sales over the next three years," said Guy Maes, the store's product manager.

[Copyright Expatica 2004]

Subject: Belgian News



0 reactions to this article

0 reactions to this article

Discussion Forums

English in Belgium

ascent of language in belgium

Family in Belgium

Question about summer program/camp in Belgium

Healthcare in Belgium

How to find a good Physio and optometrist?

Jobs in Belgium

IFAs / FSIs / Country Managers / Confidential Introducers

Housing in Belgium

Flatmate Wanted as from mid February – SPACIOUS DUPLEX/PENTHOUSE

participate in the forums

Inside Expatica
Looking for work in Belgium

Looking for work in Belgium

This handy guide from Expertise in Labour Mobility includes how to write a CV, application procedure, interview dos and don'ts, Belgian management culture.

Practical, easy-to-use, free and... in English

Practical, easy-to-use, free and... in English

Belgium’s first alternative directory assistance services - available through the shortcode 14-14 - can now be accessed on the internet.

Finding a rental home in Belgium

Finding a rental home in Belgium

Moving to Belgium presents a host of challenges to expats, not least of all finding the right home.

Learning to cope with life abroad

Learning to cope with life abroad

The psychological effects of global mobility can be physically painful.