In the Beginning...
The first pinhole camera was created at around 1000CE, using light entering a small hole to print an upside down image. But these principles were first discovered at around 330BCE. Even then, the camera was only used for viewing or drawing until 1827 when a man names Joseph Niepce took the first photograph. He also used a method which could determine the exposure of the photograph, though took 8 hours for perfect exposure and soon faded.
What happened next?
In 1839 a new method was perfected, which is known as the first practical method. It shortened the exposure time to roughly 30 minutes and didn't fade the image over time. The man responsible was Louis Daguerre and for a period of time he worked with Niepce on it until Niepce died. By 1850 there were over 70 studios using the new Daguerre method in NYC alone.
How are the photos being taken in the first place?
Well it's pretty scientific. Photos used to exploit the fact that light can alter silver crystals exactly how you want. Daguerrotype photos used a silver-coated copper plate and photo-chemical reactions to create images. These images required still took a very long time to develop though.
In short, compared to today, photos were a nightmare to make and they couldn't do half the things we use every day.
In short, compared to today, photos were a nightmare to make and they couldn't do half the things we use every day.
We can't move cameras though..
Well, in 1879, dry plates were invented. These dry plates could last a long time and meant daguerrotypes were no longer needed. Instead a technician could develop the photograph. It also meant the time waiting would be substantially shorter and handheld cameras were now possible. This was one of the biggest camera innovations of the 19th century.
Is there an easier way?
There is now. After dry plates came the invention of film. This was an easier way to transport photos and would be used for many decades. However they required a dark room.
A dark room was a dark-red room in someone's house used to raise exposure of an image.
Below is an image of an old dark room.
A dark room was a dark-red room in someone's house used to raise exposure of an image.
Below is an image of an old dark room.
Well we can move the photos, but can they move themselves yet?
Yes, they can. A few years after the invention of dry plates, a famous man named Thomas Edison pioneered the use of photos in rapid succession to create the illusion of movement. But in 1878, a man named Eadweard Muybridge actually created one of the most well-known series of photos- "Salle Gardiner at a Gallop"
This series of photos proved that horses lift all legs off the ground when they move, which was a myth at the time.
The collection is displayed below:
This series of photos proved that horses lift all legs off the ground when they move, which was a myth at the time.
The collection is displayed below:
The last stretchFinally, in 1984, the well-known company "Canon" created and demonstrated the first ever digital camera. These cameras are still used today.. just more modern versions. And thus this was the history of photography, the same one that allows you to capture a beautiful lighthouse at sunrise, or a night out with family at sunset.
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At the present
Nowadays, we have phones to take pictures.
Photos took this way are mobile photography and it has dominated the general public.
However, these camera companies have not gone out of business and Canon DSLR's are still used worldwide.
The camera has evolved throughout history to one of the most advanced piece of technology solely used for capturing an image.
Below is a modern Canon DSLR:
Photos took this way are mobile photography and it has dominated the general public.
However, these camera companies have not gone out of business and Canon DSLR's are still used worldwide.
The camera has evolved throughout history to one of the most advanced piece of technology solely used for capturing an image.
Below is a modern Canon DSLR:
These cost for these range from a couple hundred pounds to thousands.