27/06/2025
The history of
The History of Photography
Photography, the art and science of capturing
images, has evolved dramatically since its
inception. Here's a timeline of its key milestones:
1. Early Beginnings
Camera Obscura (5th Century BCE): The concept
of projecting an image through a small hole was
described by Chinese philosopher Mozi and later
by Aristotle. It was used for artistic and scientific
purposes but could not record images.
2. First Permanent Photograph (1826)
Joseph Nicéphore Niépce: In 1826, Niépce created
the first permanent photograph, View from the
Window at Le Gras, using a process called
heliography. It required an 8-hour exposure on a
pewter plate.
3. The Daguerreotype (1839)
Louis Daguerre: Daguerre introduced the
daguerreotype process, which reduced exposure
time to minutes and produced detailed,
single-image photographs on silver-plated copper.
4. Calotype and Paper Negatives (1841)
William Henry Fox Talbot: Talbot invented the
calotype process, which used paper negatives,
allowing multiple copies of an image to be made.
This was a precursor to modern photography.
5. Wet Plate Collodion Process (1851)
Frederick Scott Archer: The wet plate process
improved image quality and reduced exposure
times. However, it required photographers to
develop images immediately, often in portable
darkrooms.
6. Dry Plate Photography (1870s)
Richard Leach Maddox: The invention of dry plates
eliminated the need for on-site chemical
development, making photography more
convenient and portable.
7. The Birth of Modern Photography (1888)
George Eastman and Kodak: Eastman
revolutionized photography with the Kodak
camera, which used roll film. The slogan "You
press the button, we do the rest" made
photography accessible to the masses.
8. Color Photography (1907)
Autochrome Lumière: The Lumière brothers
introduced the first commercially successful color
photography process using dyed grains of starch
as filters.
9. Instant Photography (1948)
Polaroid Cameras: Invented by Edwin Land, the
Polaroid camera allowed users to develop and
print photos instantly, revolutionizing how people
captured moments.
