Historical evolution of photography
Photography is an image capture technique that has evolved over more than two centuries of history. The following is a summary of the main stages in the evolution of photography:
Prehistory
Painting and sculpture were the most common ways of representing reality until the advent of photography. However, rudimentary image recording techniques already existed, such as shadows cast by objects on the wall.
XVIII century
The camera obscura, a device that projects an image onto a surface through a small hole, was used in painting and drawing as a tool to create accurate perspectives. Photosensitive materials such as silver nitrate were also experimented with, but no way was found to fix the images.
1839
Louis Daguerre introduced the daguerreotype, a photographic process that produced unique positive images on a polished silver surface. The daguerreotype was the first practical form of photography and quickly became popular in Europe and America.
1851
The wet collodion process, which allowed negatives to be produced, was invented by Frederick Scott Archer. This process allowed the production of multiple copies and facilitated scientific photography.
1871
Richard Leach Maddox invented the dry plate of silver gelatin, which allowed the production of high-quality negatives more easily and quickly than wet collodion.
1888
The Kodak company introduced the first portable and easy-to-use camera, the Kodak No. 1, which came pre-loaded with film and could be sent to the company for development. This innovation popularized photography and made it accessible to a wider audience.
1907
The Lumière brothers presented the first cinematographic film at the Grand Café in Paris, which marked the beginning of modern cinema.
1935
Kodachrome, the first color photographic film, was introduced by Kodak.
1948
Polaroid introduced the first instant camera, which produced a printed image directly after the photograph was taken.
1981
Sony introduced the first digital camera, the Sony Mavica. Although the quality of images was low compared to film, digital photography became an evolving technology that revolutionized the way images were captured, stored, and distributed.
Photography has evolved greatly since its invention in the nineteenth century and has gone from being an exclusive and expensive technique to an everyday tool in modern life.
Prehistory and photography
Photography as we know it today is a product of modern technology, so it did not exist in prehistory. However, prehistoric humans left traces of their lives and activities through various forms of art and visual communication.
One prehistoric art form that could be considered a precursor to photography is cave painting. These paintings are found in caves and rock shelters around the world, and often depict animals, human figures, and scenes from everyday life. The cave paintings were made using natural pigments and techniques such as blowing and stenciling to create detailed and realistic images.
Another form of prehistoric visual communication that could be considered a precursor to photography is ceramics. Prehistoric ceramic objects, such as vessels and funerary urns, were often decorated with images of animals, plants, and geometric patterns. These images were created using printmaking, stamping and painting techniques, and provide insight into the life and beliefs of prehistoric cultures.
In short, although photography as we know it today did not exist in prehistory, prehistoric humans left traces of their lives and activities through various forms of art and visual communication, such as cave painting and pottery.
Eighteenth century and photography
The eighteenth century was an important period in the history of photography, although the invention of the camera did not occur until the nineteenth century. Below are some of the major eighteenth-century contributions to photography:
Discovery of the camera obscura: The camera obscura, a device that uses a lens to project an inverted image of an object onto an opaque surface, has been known since ancient times. However, in the eighteenth century, scientists began to explore its use as a drawing and rendering tool.
Sensitized paper photography: In 1727, German chemist Johann Heinrich Schulze discovered that certain chemical compounds were sensitive to light. Later, in the eighteenth century, the Swiss scientist Johann Wolfgang von Goethe and the English scientist Thomas Wedgwood experimented with printing images on paper treated with these compounds.
Embossing: The technique of embossing, which was widely used to print books and newspapers in the eighteenth century, was also explored as a way to produce photographic images. Embossing uses a carving process to create an elevated image on a surface, which can be used to print paper copies.
In summary, the eighteenth century was an important period in the history of photography, with important advances in the understanding of light and image. While the invention of the camera was still decades away, the experiments and discoveries of the eighteenth century paved the way for the development of photography as we know it today.
Year 1839
The year 1839 was a crucial year in the history of photography, as two important events occurred:
Invention of photography by Daguerre: On January 7, 1839, Louis Daguerre, a French inventor, announced his invention of the daguerreotype process, which allowed the creation of still and permanent photographic images. The process involved exposing a silver copper plate to iodine and bromine vapors, and then to light. The resulting image was visible on the plate and fixed by immersing itself in mercury vapors.
Announcement of the calotype process by Talbot: On January 25, 1839, English inventor William Henry Fox Talbot announced his calotype process, which allowed the creation of multiple copies of photographic images from a negative. The process involved exposing sensitive paper to light through a lens, and then applying chemicals to reveal the image. The image was fixed with common salt and used to make positive copies on paper.
These two photographic processes had a significant impact on the world of photography and paved the way for the development of new photographic technologies and techniques in the following decades.
In 1851
In 1851 several important events occurred in the history of photography, some of them mentioned below:
London World’s Fair: At the 1851 London World’s Fair, an exhibition devoted exclusively to photography was presented for the first time. This exhibition included more than 700 photographs and featured the work of some of the leading photographers of the time.
Publication of “The Pencil of Nature”: In 1851, the English photographer William Henry Fox Talbot published his work “The Pencil of Nature”, which was the first book illustrated with photographs. The book contained 24 photographs, each with a detailed description of the process used to create it.
First stereoscopic photographs: In 1851, British photographer George Washington Wilson began producing stereoscopic photographs, which created a three-dimensional illusion when viewed through a special viewfinder. These images became a popular form of entertainment in the nineteenth century.
First photographic portraits of Queen Victoria: In 1851, Queen Victoria of the United Kingdom became the first monarch to be photographed at her post, which contributed to the popularity of photography at the time.
In summary, the year 1851 was a period of important advances in photography, from the first photographic exhibition to the publication of the first illustrated book with photographs and the popularization of stereoscopic images.
In 1888
The year 1888 was a pivotal year in the history of photography, as there were several major advances in photographic technology. Here are some of the highlights:
Invention of the Kodak camera: In 1888, American inventor George Eastman introduced the first Kodak camera, which became the first portable and easy-to-use camera. The camera came with a roll of film that could take up to 100 pictures and was then sent to the Kodak company to be processed and returned to the owner.
Silver gelatin printing process: In 1888, English photographer Richard Leach Maddox invented the silver gelatin printing process, which made it possible to produce high-quality photographic prints. This process replaced the previous albumin printing process, which was more complicated and less consistent.
Launch of National Geographic magazine: In 1888 National Geographic magazine was launched , which became an important source of information and dissemination of photographs. The magazine published some of the most iconic images in the history of photography, including Steve McCurry’s famous photograph of the Afghan girl.
These advances in photographic technology and the popularization of photography thanks to the Kodak camera, contributed to the increase in the production and consumption of photographs in society.
In 1907
The year 1907 was an important period in the history of photography, in which several significant advances and events occurred. Here are some of them:
Foundation of the Photographic Association of America: In 1907 the Photographic Association of America (PAA) was founded, which became one of the most important organizations dedicated to the promotion and development of photography in the United States.
Invention of the first pocket camera: In 1907, the German company Zeiss Ikon introduced the first pocket camera, the “Vest Pocket Kodak”, which became a huge commercial success thanks to its compact size and ease of use.
Publication of “Camera Work”: In 1907, the American photographer and editor Alfred Stieglitz founded the magazine “Camera Work”, which became one of the most important publications of modern photography. The magazine included photographs and essays by some of the most important photographers of the time, such as Edward Steichen and Gertrude Käsebier.
Appearance of color photography: In 1907, French photographer Auguste Lumière introduced the Autochrome process, which allowed the creation of color photographic images. This process involved the use of a glass plate coated with a layer of stained starch granules, which allowed light to be filtered from different colors to create a color image.
These advances in photography in 1907 contributed to the development and evolution of photography, allowing for greater accessibility and ease of use for the general public, as well as the creation of color images, which opened up new artistic and creative possibilities for photographers.
In 1935
The year 1935 was an interesting period in the history of photography, in which several technological advances and significant events occurred. Here are some of them:
Development of 35 mm photography: In 1935, the German company Leica introduced the first 35 mm camera with a focal plane shutter, which allowed high-quality photographs to be taken in a smaller, more portable film size. This revolutionized photography by allowing photographers more freedom and flexibility to capture images.
Publication of “Let Us Now Praise Famous Men”: In 1935, American writer James Agee and photographer Walker Evans published “Let Us Now Praise Famous Men ,” a book documenting the lives of poor farmworkers in the American South during the Great Depression. The book is known for its powerful photography and narrative style.
The first photographic magazine appears in Spain: In 1935, the magazine “AFHA” (Arte Fotográfico en Hispano América) was the first publication dedicated exclusively to photography in Spain. During his short life he published works by important Spanish photographers such as Francisco Boix, Ramón Masats and Toni Catany.
Photography as a documentary tool: During the 1930s, photography became an important tool for documenting and recording important events around the world. Photographers such as Dorothea Lange, Robert Capa and Margaret Bourke-White captured iconic images of the Great Depression, the Spanish Civil War and World War II.
These advances in photography in 1935 allowed for greater accessibility and freedom for photographers, resulting in greater experimentation and creativity. The idea that photography could be a documentary and artistic tool at the same time was also consolidated.
In 1948
The year 1948 was an important period in the history of photography, in which several significant advances and events took place. Here are some of them:
Creation of the Magnum Agency
In 1948, photographer Robert Capa and other photographers founded the agency Magnum Photos, which became one of the most important photo agencies in the world. The agency specialized in documentary photography and reportage, and focused on topics such as politics, war, and popular culture.
Introducing the Polaroid Film Format
In 1948, the Polaroid company introduced the first instant film format, which allowed photographers to obtain a developed image in a few minutes. This format became a commercial success and allowed photographers and the general public to obtain high-quality images more quickly and easily.
“Life” magazine appears
In 1948, “Life” magazine began to be published weekly in the United States, and became one of the most important publications of documentary photography and reportage. The magazine featured images by some of the world’s best photographers, and focused on topics such as politics, popular culture, and everyday life.
Introduction of the Polaroid Land camera
In 1948, the Polaroid company introduced the first instant camera, the Polaroid Land Camera. This camera allowed photographers to obtain a developed image within a few minutes, which changed the way photographs were taken and allowed for greater immediacy in image production.
These advances in photography in 1948 contributed to the development and evolution of photography, allowing for greater accessibility and ease of use for the general public, as well as the creation of high-quality images more quickly and easily. In addition, the founding of the Magnum Agency and the publication of “Life” magazine allowed photographers to have greater exposure and recognition for their work.
History of Photography in 1981
The year 1981 was an interesting period in the history of photography, in which there were several technological advances and significant events. Here are some of them:
The first digital camera appears: In 1981, Sony introduced the first digital camera, the Mavica (Magnetic Video Camera). Although it did not produce high-quality images, this camera paved the way for the development of digital technology in photography.
Foundation of the magazine “Aperture”: In 1981, the magazine “Aperture” was founded, a quarterly publication dedicated to photography. The magazine focused on contemporary photography and exploring cultural, political and social issues through photography.
Introduction of the first high-sensitivity film: In 1981, the Kodak company introduced the T-Max high-sensitivity film, which allowed photographers to take low-light photographs without using a flash. This film also allowed for greater sharpness and detail in the images.
Color photography becomes the norm: In 1981, color photography became the norm for most photographers. The popularity of color photography was due in part to the improvement in the quality of color printing processes, which allowed for more accurate reproduction of colors.
These advances in photography in 1981 allowed for greater accessibility and flexibility for photographers, resulting in greater experimentation and creativity. In addition, the introduction of the digital camera laid the foundation for a new era of photography, in which digital technology would become an integral part of the image capture and editing process.
1981 to date
Since the introduction of the first digital camera in 1981, photographic technology has evolved at a rapid pace. Below are some of the major innovations and trends in photography since then:
Evolution of digital technology
Since the Sony Mavica, the quality of digital images has improved significantly and production costs have been reduced. Today, most cameras are digital and can take high-resolution photos with ease.
Mobile photography
The popularity of smartphones has led to an explosion in mobile photography. Smartphone cameras are now so good that many people don’t need a separate camera. In addition, photo editing and sharing apps have made it easier to share images online.
Social Media Photography
The popularity of social networks like Instagram has led to a trend towards more stylized and visually striking images. Photo editing, filtering, and image manipulation are now an important part of digital photography.
Drone photography
Drones allow the capture of aerial images and unique perspectives. Drone photography has been used for a wide range of applications, from landscape photography to infrastructure inspection.
Virtual Reality Photography
Virtual and augmented reality technology has led to a new way of experiencing photography. 360 cameras and virtual reality devices allow users to view images and videos in 360 degrees and enrich the visual experience.
Artificial Intelligence Photography
Artificial intelligence is increasingly being used in photography, from automatic face detection to automatic image enhancement. Cameras can adjust exposure, focus and other parameters automatically to get the best possible image.
Photography has evolved significantly since the invention of the first digital camera in 1981. Digital technologies, mobile photography, social media and virtual reality are some of the most important trends in photography today.
