Malcolm Goodman

November, 2017
 The Earliest Cameras

There first mention of a camera type device is about
the Camera Obscura, and is found in Chinese writing
from 400BC and from Aristotle in 330BC. These first
cameras which were similar to pin-hole cameras and
produced projections of mirrored, reversed images
were not used for photography, but to study optics
and astronomy well into the 1600s.
 Mid 1600s: The Magic Lantern

In the mid 1600s a new
device called the Magic
Lantern appeared. It
worked in a similar way
to the Camera Obsurca so
that people could make
images on large surfaces.
Combined with music or
theatre it was popular for
entertainment.
 The Discovery of
Photo Sensitive Chemicals

In 1727, a German
scientist, Johann
Schulze, proved that
silver salts were
sensitive to light by
performing a series of
experiments. But his
work wasnt used for
photography until the
next century.
 The First Photographic Image

In 1827, a French scientist, Joseph Niepce created the
first photographic image. He used the Camera Obscura
and using a chemical called bitumen created an
engraving on a metal plate he exposed it to light.
Following that he used chemicals to make the photos.
They are known as heliographs and they are
considered to be the first ever photos. Unfortunately
they took a very long time to make and soon faded.
The Earliest Preserved
Photographic Image

A landscape by Niepce.
 The Daguerreotype Method:
The First Commercial Photos

Another Frenchman, Louis Daguerre, was also
working on creating the first photographs. He
improved on Niepces method and eventually they
became partners. Over time they learned how to
reduce the exposure time and to make images that
wouldnt fade away, preserved as silver copper plates.
This new process was called the Daguerreotype
method and quickly became popular. These were the
first commerical photos.
 The First Photo Negatives

The problem with the
Daguerreotype method
was only a single print
could be made. An
Englishman, Henry Fox,
created a new way that
allowed them to make
multiple prints. He
created the first photo
negatives that could be
used to make many
copies of the same image.
 The Evolution of Film

The first flexible film was
created by George Eastman
in 1889. These first films
were flammable and tended
to fade. Over time, different
types of film were used
plastic, non flammable film
was invented which didnt
fad. In the 1940s the first
colour films became
available.
The Evolution of Prints

Early prints used linen rag
paper, but they could get dry
and cracked and the image
could fade. Later the paper
was coated with plastic to
make the images lasted longer.
The first colour prints had
problems with fading, later
developments created colour
prints that could last 50 years
and now we have new
computer technology that can
make prints that would last
200 years.
 Flashbulbs

In 1887 flash powder
was invented in
Germany.
Later photo flashes
were created that used
light bulbs.
Flashes allowed
pictures to be taken
indoors and in low
light conditions, as well
as certain effects.
Modern Cameras

The first single lens reflex
camera was brought to
the market in 1945
The first camera to use
35mm film came out in
1935
Since then cameras have
evolved with
interchanganle lenses,
light meters, auto
focusing and more.
 Instant Cameras

Instant photography was
invented by Edwin Land.
He developed the Polaroid
camera that would
instantly print pictures,
bringing the first one to
market in 1948. Later
colour Polaroid cameras
were developed and in the
1970s other companies
started to create and sell
their own instant cameras.
Instant print cameras were
very popular and continue
to be used even today.
 Digital Cameras

The very first digital
camera, was created by
Kodak in 1975. It stored
data on a cassette and
didnt need film or
processing. Soon, by the
1980s, many companies
were developing digital
cameras. New technology
keeps improving digital
cameras with more
features, better image
quality, and better ways
to store large files. In the early 2000s digital cameras
began outselling film cameras.
 Works Cited

"A History of Photography Part 1: The Beginning."
Photo &
Video Envato Tuts. N.p., n.d. Web. 22 Nov. 2017.
Bellis, Mary. "A Comprehensive Look at the History of
Photography." ThoughtCo. N.p., n.d. Web. 22
Nov. 2017.
"Harry Ransom CenterThe University of Texas at
Austin."
Harry Ransom Center. N.p., n.d. Web. 22 Nov.
2017.