The word “photography” was first used in 1839 by Sir John Herschel
When you take a picture with your phone or camera, you are taking a photograph! The word “photography” comes from two Greek words that together mean “light writing.” Sir John Herschel was the first person to use this word in 1839, and he is also credited with inventing the process of photography.
Before Herschel, people could only capture images by painting or drawing them. But Herschel figured out how to use a camera to record an image on paper coated with a light-sensitive chemical. He then invented a way to develop the image so it would become permanent. Although Herschel’s process was later improved upon, his contribution helped lay the foundation for modern photography.
Today, we have cameras that are small enough to fit in our pockets, and we can take pictures of just about anything we see!
Daguerreotype
In 1839, French physicist Louis Daguerre announced the daguerreotype process, which allowed for shorter exposure times and made photography more accessible to the general public.
Photography has been used for a lot of different things since it was first invented. People use it to take pictures of important events and moments in their lives. Scientists also use photography to help them study things.
In the early days of photography, the process was very complicated and required a lot of chemicals
Even if you ask your grandparents how difficult it used to be to just have a few pictures from holidays, they’ll probably tell you a story about how complicated it was, and that is not so long ago.
Photography has come a long way since then, and now anyone can take a picture with their phone. The process is still complicated, but not as bad as it used to be. Thanks to advances in technology, we can all enjoy taking pictures without having to worry about the chemicals.
The first photograph of a person is believed to have been taken in 1838
It was a photo of a man named Robert Cornelius. He was an American photographer and the photo was taken in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Cornelius took the photo of himself.
He did this by setting up his camera in front of a mirror. Then, he sat very still while the picture was being taken. The photo took about 10 minutes to take. After it was done, Cornelius ran to develop the picture immediately. When he saw the final product, he was amazed!
Cornelius’s photo is now considered to be the first ever selfie!
Today, photography is widely used for art, media, and documentation
Many people believe that photography is just taking pictures, but it is actually much more than that.
Photography is an art form that uses light and composition to create beautiful images. It can also be used as a tool for media and documentation. For example, photographers can document important events or use their pictures to tell stories. In addition, photography is a great way to capture memories and keep them forever. Whether you are taking pictures of your friends and family or capturing the beauty of nature, photography is a powerful way to preserve memories and moments.
Now that you know all about the beginnings of photography, it’s time to start taking some pictures yourself! See the world through your camera and capture images that will last a lifetime. If you’re not sure where to start, check out our Learn The Basics guide.