13.1 History and Development of Photography
3 min read•july 18, 2024
Photography has revolutionized how we capture and perceive the world. From the to digital sensors, technological advancements have shaped photographic styles and expanded creative possibilities. These innovations have made photography more accessible, enabling amateurs and professionals alike to document life's moments.
Pioneers like Niépce, Daguerre, and Talbot laid the groundwork for photography's evolution. As the medium progressed, it became a powerful tool for documentation, social reform, and artistic expression. Photography's impact on journalism, history, and culture continues to grow, shaping our understanding of the world around us.
The Evolution of Photography
Evolution of camera technology
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- Camera obscura used a pinhole or lens to project an inverted image onto a wall or screen, serving as the earliest known ancestor of the photographic camera dating back to ancient Greece and China
- (1839) was the first commercially available photographic process invented by , using a polished silver-plated copper plate treated with iodine vapor
- (1841) developed by was the first negative-positive process allowing multiple prints from a single negative, using paper coated with silver chloride
- (1851) introduced by Frederick Scott Archer used glass plates coated with collodion and sensitized with silver nitrate, reducing exposure times and improving detail
- (1871) invented by Richard Leach Maddox utilized gelatin emulsion containing silver bromide coated on glass plates, eliminating the need for immediate processing
- (1888) introduced by George Eastman was a flexible, paper-based film that simplified photography and made it more accessible to the masses
- (1934) popularized by Leica and Contax cameras became the standard for professional and amateur photography, remaining dominant until the rise of
- Digital cameras (1975 onwards) began with the first digital camera prototype developed by Steven Sasson at Kodak using a CCD sensor to capture images, with digital technology gradually improving and eventually replacing film
Pioneers of photography
- (1765-1833) created the first permanent photographic image using a process called heliography
- Louis Daguerre (1787-1851) invented the daguerreotype process and collaborated with Niépce to improve heliography
- Henry Fox Talbot (1800-1877) developed the calotype process and invented the first negative-positive process
- (1823-1896) documented the American Civil War through photography, establishing the role of photography in journalism and history
- (1830-1904) pioneered work in motion photography by capturing sequences of animals and humans in motion
- (1864-1946) promoted photography as a fine art form, founding the Photo-Secession movement and publishing Camera Work
- (1902-1984) known for his iconic black-and-white landscape photographs developed the for controlling tonal range
The Impact of Photography
Technological impact on photographic styles
- Daguerreotype and calotype processes established photography as a viable medium but were limited by long exposure times and lack of reproducibility (daguerreotype)
- process shortened exposure times enabling more spontaneous photography and allowing for the creation of sharper, more detailed images
- Dry plate process and roll film made photography more convenient and accessible, encouraging experimentation and the development of new styles
- 35mm film and compact cameras enabled candid and street photography, facilitating the growth of photojournalism and
- (1930s onwards) added a new dimension to photographic expression, expanding the possibilities for artistic and commercial photography
- Digital photography revolutionized the way images are captured, processed, and shared, leading to the development of new photographic techniques and styles (, )
Photography's role in documentation
- Social reform and activism: documented poor living conditions in New York City slums (1890s), captured child labor practices in the early 20th century
- War photography: documented the Crimean War (1853-1856), captured the D-Day landings during World War II (1944)
- Civil rights movement: documented the lives of African Americans during segregation, captured the violence against protesters during the 1960s
- Environmental conservation: Ansel Adams' photographs of Yosemite helped establish it as a national park, 's "Genesis" project highlights the beauty and fragility of the natural world
- Cultural traditions and everyday life: documented Native American tribes in the early 20th century, pioneered the concept of "the decisive moment" in street photography
Key Terms to Review (30)
35mm film: 35mm film is a standardized photographic film format that has been widely used in both still photography and motion pictures since the late 19th century. It gained popularity for its versatility and image quality, becoming the dominant format in the film industry and significantly influencing the development of photography and cinematography.
Alfred Stieglitz: Alfred Stieglitz was a pioneering American photographer and art promoter known for his significant contributions to the development of photography as a recognized art form. He was instrumental in elevating photography from mere documentation to a legitimate artistic medium, fostering an appreciation for visual art through his galleries and publications, such as 'Camera Work'. His work not only showcased the technical possibilities of photography but also emphasized its emotional and expressive qualities.
Ansel Adams: Ansel Adams was a renowned American photographer and environmentalist known for his black-and-white landscape photographs of the American West, particularly Yosemite National Park. His work played a crucial role in the development of photography as an art form, emphasizing the importance of conservation and the breathtaking beauty of nature.
Calotype: The calotype, also known as the talbotype, is an early photographic process invented by William Henry Fox Talbot in the 1830s that used paper coated with silver iodide to create a negative image. This method allowed for multiple positive prints to be made from a single negative, marking a significant advancement in the history of photography and contributing to the development of modern photographic techniques.
Camera obscura: The camera obscura is an optical device that creates a darkened room or box with a small hole or lens allowing light from the outside to project an inverted image of the outside scene onto a surface inside. This principle became fundamental in the development of photography, providing insight into how light interacts with objects and the process of capturing images.
Charles Moore: Charles Moore was a prominent American architect, educator, and author known for his significant contributions to modern architecture and urban design. He played a crucial role in the development of postmodern architecture, advocating for a more contextual and historically informed approach to design, which influenced the trajectory of architectural thought and practice during the late 20th century.
Color photography: Color photography is a technique that captures images in color, rather than in monochrome or black and white. This innovation transformed the field of photography, enabling artists and photographers to portray the world more vividly and realistically, as it closely resembles human visual perception. The development of color photography has had significant implications for artistic expression, commercial photography, and the way society documents and shares experiences.
Computational photography: Computational photography is a technology that uses digital computation to enhance or extend the capabilities of traditional photography. By integrating software algorithms with image capture techniques, it allows for advanced image processing, resulting in improved image quality and creative effects that would be difficult or impossible to achieve with conventional methods. This evolution has transformed how photographers create and manipulate images, influencing the accessibility and artistry of photography.
Daguerreotype: A daguerreotype is one of the earliest forms of photography, invented in the 1830s by Louis Daguerre. This process involved creating a highly detailed image on a silver-coated copper plate, which was then treated with chemicals to develop the photo. Daguerreotypes were significant because they represented a revolutionary advancement in the art of capturing images, making photography more accessible and popular among the general public.
Digital cameras: Digital cameras are devices that capture photographs in digital format, using electronic sensors to convert light into digital data. This technology has revolutionized photography by allowing for immediate image review, editing capabilities, and easy sharing through digital media. The shift from film to digital photography marked a significant milestone in the history and development of photography, changing how images are captured, stored, and disseminated.
Documentary photography: Documentary photography is a genre of photography that captures real-life events, environments, and people with the intent to provide a truthful representation of reality. This form of photography often tells stories, sheds light on social issues, and documents historical moments, serving as an important tool for journalism and advocacy.
Dry plate process: The dry plate process is a photographic technique developed in the late 19th century that uses glass plates coated with a light-sensitive emulsion, allowing for quicker exposure times and more convenient handling compared to earlier methods. This innovation significantly advanced the field of photography, making it more accessible and practical for both amateur and professional photographers. The process eliminated the need for wet collodion, which required immediate development after exposure, thereby expanding the possibilities for photography in various settings.
Eadweard Muybridge: Eadweard Muybridge was an English photographer known for his pioneering work in motion-picture projection and the study of animal locomotion in the late 19th century. His experiments with sequential photography were crucial in understanding motion, and his famous series of photographs of a galloping horse helped lay the groundwork for the development of cinema and animation.
Edward Curtis: Edward Curtis was an American photographer and ethnologist best known for his extensive documentation of Native American cultures in the early 20th century. His work, particularly the multi-volume series 'The North American Indian,' aimed to capture the lives, traditions, and rituals of various tribes before they were drastically altered by modernization and assimilation.
Gordon Parks: Gordon Parks was a groundbreaking American photographer, filmmaker, and writer known for his powerful imagery that depicted the struggles of African Americans and social issues in the 20th century. His work played a significant role in elevating photojournalism and highlighting civil rights, poverty, and injustice, marking him as a key figure in the history and development of photography.
HDR: HDR, or High Dynamic Range, refers to a technique in photography that captures a broader range of luminosity than standard imaging methods. This technology allows photographers to create images that closely resemble what the human eye sees in real life, making highlights brighter and shadows more detailed. By combining multiple exposures taken at different settings, HDR enhances the overall visual experience and creates stunning images with vivid colors and striking contrasts.
Henri Cartier-Bresson: Henri Cartier-Bresson was a pioneering French photographer known for his role in the development of photojournalism and the concept of the 'decisive moment.' He captured candid moments that revealed deeper truths about human life, emphasizing the importance of timing, composition, and spontaneity in photography. His work laid the foundation for modern photography, influencing countless photographers and shaping visual storytelling.
Henry Fox Talbot: Henry Fox Talbot was a British scientist and inventor who is often credited with the invention of photography through his development of the calotype process in the 1830s. His work laid the foundation for modern photography, as he was among the first to create a negative-positive process, which allowed multiple copies of an image to be made from a single negative, a principle that is still used today.
Jacob Riis: Jacob Riis was a Danish-American social reformer, journalist, and photographer known for his groundbreaking work in documenting the lives of the urban poor in late 19th-century New York City. His use of photography as a tool for social change made significant contributions to the field of photojournalism and raised public awareness about the harsh realities faced by impoverished communities.
Lewis Hine: Lewis Hine was an American sociologist and photographer, known for his groundbreaking work in using photography as a tool for social reform, particularly during the early 20th century. His images captured the harsh realities of child labor and immigration, playing a significant role in advocating for legislative change and raising public awareness about these issues.
Louis Daguerre: Louis Daguerre was a French artist and photographer, best known for inventing the daguerreotype, one of the first practical methods of photography. His work marked a significant milestone in the history and development of photography, as it allowed for the capture of detailed images on a polished silver-plated copper sheet, changing how people documented their lives and viewed the world around them.
Mathew Brady: Mathew Brady was a pioneering American photographer known for his significant contributions to the history of photography, particularly during the Civil War era. His work documented the harsh realities of war and played a crucial role in shaping public perception of the conflict through his innovative use of the medium.
Nicéphore Niépce: Nicéphore Niépce was a French inventor credited with creating the first successful permanent photograph in the early 19th century. His work laid the foundation for the development of photography as an art form and a means of recording reality. Niépce's pioneering techniques, particularly his invention of the heliograph process, significantly influenced future photographers and the evolution of photographic technology.
Robert Capa: Robert Capa was a Hungarian-American war photographer and photojournalist, renowned for his compelling images that captured the reality of conflict during the mid-20th century. His work is closely associated with the development of photojournalism, particularly through his iconic images from World War II and the Spanish Civil War, which highlighted the harsh truths of war and the human experience in extreme conditions.
Roger Fenton: Roger Fenton was a pioneering British photographer, known for his significant contributions to the early development of photography in the 19th century. He is often celebrated as one of the first war photographers, capturing images during the Crimean War, which helped to establish photography as a powerful medium for documenting historical events.
Roll film: Roll film is a type of flexible film used in photography that is wound onto a spool and can be loaded into cameras for exposure. This innovation revolutionized photography by allowing multiple exposures on a single roll, making it more convenient and accessible for both amateur and professional photographers. The use of roll film also contributed to the development of various camera designs, leading to the mass production of cameras and the popularization of photography as an art form and hobby.
Sebastião Salgado: Sebastião Salgado is a renowned Brazilian social documentary photographer and photojournalist, known for his powerful black-and-white images that depict the human condition, environmental issues, and social injustice. His work captures the struggles of marginalized communities and highlights the beauty of nature, establishing him as a prominent figure in the history of photography and a voice for the voiceless.
Wet plate collodion: Wet plate collodion is an early photographic process that involves coating a glass plate with a mixture of collodion and light-sensitive silver salts, exposing it while still wet, and then developing the image. This technique revolutionized photography in the 19th century by allowing for sharper images and shorter exposure times compared to earlier methods like daguerreotypes.
Wet plate collodion process: The wet plate collodion process is an early photographic technique that involves coating a glass plate with a thin layer of collodion, a flammable liquid, and then sensitizing it in a silver nitrate solution before exposing it to light. This method allowed photographers to produce images with remarkable detail and clarity but required immediate processing while the plate was still wet, making it a labor-intensive process. It played a significant role in the history and development of photography by paving the way for later techniques and influencing artistic styles.
Zone system: The zone system is a photographic technique that allows photographers to control the exposure and development of their images to achieve desired tonal values. Developed by Ansel Adams and Fred Archer, this system divides the range of light into eleven zones, from pure black to pure white, allowing for precise manipulation of contrast and detail in the final print. It has significantly influenced the practice of photography, emphasizing the importance of pre-visualization in capturing an image.