You must have held onto a camera a few times in your life. You also must have taken numerous pictures with that exceptional device. However, have you, for a minute, stopped to think how this device came into existence or what the concept we so quickly call 'photography' today made its rounds in the world?

If you haven't and want to dive deeply into the history of cameras and photography, this article has you covered. Hop on below to gain an insight into when a camera was invented and delve into the history of photography while you are at it.

What is a Camera?

We all know what a camera is, right? To help you better understand it, let us explain the device thoroughly. A camera is a device capable of capturing still or moving images with the help of light.

A camera takes advantage of the lights and combines all optics, mechanics, chemistry, and electronics in a way that helps the lights get imprinted on a light-sensitive material or surface. When talking about analog cameras, this medium or material is a photographic film; in digital cameras, the medium is an electronic sensor. Both these mediums react differently to the light, ultimately creating the scenery captured by the camera.

How was the First Camera Made?

The first camera's development resulted from Louis Daguerre's obsession to create permanent images in more straightforward ways. In 1839, Louis invented the Daguerreotype, an early form of photo camera. During light exposure, a thin film of silver iodide was applied to the camera's plate.

Once done, the photographer would then treat it with mercury vapors and heated saltwater in the darkness. As a result, any silver iodide not affected by the light would then be removed, leaving behind a fixed and permanent image on the camera.

Early Photography and the Origin of Concept

Upon the development of the first camera and then further advancements in it, people genuinely started enjoying taking pictures. Hence, it elevated from a hobby or for work purposes to a proper photography domain today. Here is a detailed insight into early photography and the origin of its concept.

1890s Photography

Till the 1890s, photography was a concept solely limited to professional occupations. However, in the 1880s, George Eastman introduced a flexible roll film and the first Kodak camera. The camera offered 100 exposures, which could only be processed after returning the camera to Eastman.

So, while professional photographers and artists took measure benefits from this new tool and explored it from a creative standpoint, other domestic and snapshot photographers also took their shots. In short, anyone capable of pressing a button could capture what they viewed as 'snap worthy' at an affordable price. Hence, the concept of photography stepped out of the reigns of only professionals and made its way to the public.

First Video Camera

While arguable, many historians still argue that Louis Le Prince's single-lens camera, developed in 1888, helped create the world's first and oldest motion video. The video was not much but a simple two-second silent film of people walking in the garden. This video was labeled as 'Roundhay Garden Scene.'

While it was not a blockbuster movie, it was still the first step into the world of motion pictures. Later, in 1981, Thomas Edison's employer, William Kennedy Laurie Dickson, incited the first movie, Kinetograph. It was Dickson's model, which was successful and made a mark in video making.

First Color Film

When motion pictures came into existence, all of them were black and white. This brings us to the question: when did color films become a concept? It was during the late 1920s when La Can-Can became the first color film. It should be noted that it was not entirely in color. Most of the film was in black and white; only parts were tinted in color sequences. The primary reason for only a touch of color was the inexperience of the movie maker at that film. However, movie makers finally grasped how to make color films through dyes over time; the rest remains history.

When Did Color Photography Start?

Today, photography and filmmaking do not require dyes. So, how did color photography start? Well, Gabriel Lippmann took his knowledge of physics to the test in 1886 to create the first color photograph without using pigments or dyes like it usually was.

Lippan explained the propagation of waves using interference and then showed his process along with color images of a bowl of oranges, flags, stained glass windows, and a picture of a parrot by 1906. He won the Nobel Prize in Physics for his discovery.

When Did Digital Photography Start?

The start of digital photography cannot be pinpointed to a single year or invention. This is because the occurrence of it happened in different areas and domains at the same time. As a result, the digital images became a culmination of work from various experts over several years.

Wrapping Up!

A camera is an exceptional device, and photography is a phenomenal concept. However, while modern times are accustomed to both these concepts, we are sure that before today, you must not have put much thought into the history of both these aspects. If this is the case, we hope we have enlightened your knowledge through our article.