World Photography Day 2021: How did it originate?
Clicking pictures is one of the most favourite activities of many all across the globe. Then, there are others who prefer to face the camera rather than being behind the lens. Both the experiences, although unique in their own ways, are equally enriching. And, what better way to celebrate the art of photography and magic of captured moments than to dedicate an entire day to it? Every year, 19th of August is celebrated as the World Photography Day with the aim of inspiring photographers all over the world. Here’s all about this day.
History of World Photography Day
Though the concept of photography has existed through ages, the origin of modern-day photography has its inception in 1837 when Frenchman Joseph Nicephore Niepce teamed up with Louis Daguerre to invent the first ever photographic process named daguerreotype. Two years later, the French Academy of Sciences, on the 9th of January, revealed it to the world. On 19th of August that very year, the academy purchased the patent gave the world one of its best surprise gifts: A totally free-of-cost access to this avant-garde technique. Since then, 19th of August became a globally auspicious day for photographers and photography.
Thereafter, photography has undergone significant developments with Thomas Sutton introducing durable coloured photographs in 1861 and Kodak welcoming us into the age of digital photographs. On August 19 2010, on the occasion of World Photography Day, the first virtual gallery was hosted where more than 250 photographers from 100 countries shared their pictures.
Camera Obscura: The first photographic device
The concept of photography was born when an Iraqi scientist named Alhazen created a device called the camera obscura during the 11th century. It was a box-shaped device or room which used to allow the entry of light through a tiny opening on one side and project it on another surface. This process resulted in upside down images. Camera obscura is a Latin word which means darkened room.
Origin of the word photography
Photography is the process of capturing images through light. The word originates from two Greek words 'photos' and 'graphein'. While photos means light and graphein implies drawing.
Types of photography
There are different types of photography varying in subjects and techniques. Here are the most popular genres of this art:
- Portrait photography
- Landscape photography
- Wildlife photography
- Fashion photography
- Food photography
- Abstract photography
- Architecture photography
- Industrial photography