DSLR cameras have sparked a boom in demand among young women in a market ‘once dominated’ by men, according to sources in Japan.
Joshi Camera, a Japanese photo magazine aimed at women, says its circulation has doubled in the two years since its launch.
‘Girls always now carry DSLR cameras and shoot whatever subjects on the street that happen to appeal to them,’ reports the respected photo industry newsletter, Pen News Weekly.
‘At some high schools, female members of camera clubs have increased rapidly, now making up the majority,’ adds the article.
The Federation of Tokyo School Camera Clubs claims that girls now account for around 70% of membership.
A psychology professor is quoted as saying that women have a ‘stronger desire to have contact with others’, and take photos as a means of self-expression and effective communication.