Over 150 years of photography history means there were many inventions and advances that changed the face of photographic history. From the creation of the first image to the advent of web photo albums and everything in between, how we document our lives is amazing. But, there were three major innovations that changed how we viewed images.
Daguerreotype
Announced in the late 1830’s this was the first photographic process that had widespread use. By using metal plates and a process known as electroplating images were captured onto plates and then transferred to paper with a mix of chemicals. This process was time consuming and took the skill of a trained professional. Long exposures were needed, meaning the subject needed to remain still for long periods of time – up to 10 minutes. This invention had huge changes on society and even with todays’ technological advances the daguerreotype has some aspects that we’re still not able to reproduce – such as the ability to capture fine line resolution and detail.
Snapshot
Daguerreotype’s remained the dominant form of photography until the beginning of the 20th century when Eastman Kodak introduced the brownie box camera and ushered in the era of the snapshot. Photographs at this time were highly posed, because they had to be. But Kodak’s invention sped up the exposure time allowing people to “snap” a picture easily and quickly.
The company encouraged people to capture the everyday moments of life and not just the staged family or individual portrait that was standard until this point. Kodak was able to offer cameras at a much lower price point, which opened up a huge new market of amateur photographers. It was at this point we started to see more images of landmarks, scenic landscapes, and people in the everyday acts of life. It was also at this time photography began to be seen as a fine art rather than just a pastime or commercial pursuit. There were many debates and advancements made in the skills of photography. But it wasn’t until the end of the 20th century that photography really began to see the walls of art museums. This opening up of photography to the masses is what ushered in the status of photography today.
Digital
The first true digital camera was created in 1988 but unlike film cameras that capture images on a film, digital images are made using light sensors and memory devices. How they work is more closely related to the technology of television than earlier cameras. Digital cameras allow the user to immediately see the image, delete or adjust. The cost to take a picture today is marginal and it’s possible to take dozens in just a few seconds. Nearly everyone has access to some type of digital image recorder via a camera, tablet, or cellphone. Where earlier generations relied on photo albums to save their images, today web photo albums and photo galleries serve a similar purpose.
Photography has come a long way!
Daguerreotype
Announced in the late 1830’s this was the first photographic process that had widespread use. By using metal plates and a process known as electroplating images were captured onto plates and then transferred to paper with a mix of chemicals. This process was time consuming and took the skill of a trained professional. Long exposures were needed, meaning the subject needed to remain still for long periods of time – up to 10 minutes. This invention had huge changes on society and even with todays’ technological advances the daguerreotype has some aspects that we’re still not able to reproduce – such as the ability to capture fine line resolution and detail.
Snapshot
Daguerreotype’s remained the dominant form of photography until the beginning of the 20th century when Eastman Kodak introduced the brownie box camera and ushered in the era of the snapshot. Photographs at this time were highly posed, because they had to be. But Kodak’s invention sped up the exposure time allowing people to “snap” a picture easily and quickly.
The company encouraged people to capture the everyday moments of life and not just the staged family or individual portrait that was standard until this point. Kodak was able to offer cameras at a much lower price point, which opened up a huge new market of amateur photographers. It was at this point we started to see more images of landmarks, scenic landscapes, and people in the everyday acts of life. It was also at this time photography began to be seen as a fine art rather than just a pastime or commercial pursuit. There were many debates and advancements made in the skills of photography. But it wasn’t until the end of the 20th century that photography really began to see the walls of art museums. This opening up of photography to the masses is what ushered in the status of photography today.
Digital
The first true digital camera was created in 1988 but unlike film cameras that capture images on a film, digital images are made using light sensors and memory devices. How they work is more closely related to the technology of television than earlier cameras. Digital cameras allow the user to immediately see the image, delete or adjust. The cost to take a picture today is marginal and it’s possible to take dozens in just a few seconds. Nearly everyone has access to some type of digital image recorder via a camera, tablet, or cellphone. Where earlier generations relied on photo albums to save their images, today web photo albums and photo galleries serve a similar purpose.
Photography has come a long way!
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