Photography

Definition

Photography is the art and practice of capturing images through the use of light and a camera. This medium gained prominence in the 19th century and became a powerful tool for both artistic expression and documentation. The development of photography significantly influenced various art movements, including Mannerism and Baroque art, as well as shaping scientific and intellectual developments in the 19th and early 20th centuries.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The invention of photography is credited to Joseph Nicéphore Niépce, who created the first permanent photograph in 1826 using a process called heliography.
2. Photography quickly evolved with advancements like the daguerreotype and later film cameras, which made capturing images more accessible to the public.
3. In the context of Mannerism and Baroque art, photography provided new ways to study light, composition, and perspective, influencing artists' techniques.
4. By the late 19th century, photography began to be used for scientific purposes, documenting discoveries and phenomena in fields like medicine and astronomy.
5. The rise of photography coincided with significant intellectual movements, including realism, which emphasized observation and representation of reality in art.

Review Questions

• How did the invention of photography influence artistic techniques during the Mannerism and Baroque periods?
  • The invention of photography introduced new ways of understanding light, composition, and perspective. Artists during the Mannerism and Baroque periods began to experiment with these elements in their work, creating more dynamic and realistic representations. Photography provided a reference point for artists to analyze human forms and environments, leading to a shift in artistic practices towards more naturalistic styles.
• Discuss the impact of photography on scientific developments from 1815 to 1914.
  • Photography had a profound impact on scientific developments during this period by providing a reliable method for documentation and observation. It enabled scientists to capture images of phenomena that were previously difficult to study, such as medical conditions or astronomical events. This visual documentation contributed to advancements in various fields, allowing for more accurate sharing of information and fostering collaboration among scientists.
• Evaluate how the emergence of photography shaped societal perceptions of art and reality from the 19th century onward.
  • The emergence of photography fundamentally transformed societal perceptions of art and reality by providing an accessible medium for capturing real-life moments. As photography gained popularity, it challenged traditional artistic standards that prioritized idealization and abstraction. This shift led to greater appreciation for realism in both art and daily life. The ability to document experiences visually influenced public consciousness and paved the way for new artistic movements like impressionism, which emphasized capturing fleeting moments as experienced through one's own eyes.

Related terms

Daguerreotype:

The first commercially successful photographic process, developed by Louis Daguerre in 1839, which produced detailed images on polished metal plates.

Realism:

An artistic movement that emerged in the mid-19th century, emphasizing the depiction of everyday life and ordinary people, often as a reaction against romanticism.

Impressionism:

An art movement that began in the late 19th century, characterized by a focus on light and color, capturing moments in time, which photography helped to popularize.