History of Photography
What Makes a Photo Iconic?
While every year sees an abundance of photos that capture our attention and effectively go ‘viral’, it usually takes something special to leave an enduring impression. This year has been no different, including the use of a certain ‘buzz’ word once reserved for a select choice of photos. That word? Iconic. Cast your mind a couple months back. The mood in the US state of Louisiana reached boiling point after the police shooting (and subsequent death) of an African-American man, Alton Sterling. The following days saw protestors confront police, and in a moment of brave defiance, Leshia Evans was captured peacefully standing her ground as heavily armed riot police approached. More recently, Usain Bolt’s mid-race grin was among the standout images of the Olympics, with two photographers shooting the special moment in almost identical shots. And around the same time, the sad and tragic photo depicting a “dazed… | Read the full article
History of Photography
The first recorded history of using light, darkness, and a pinhole to project images comes from the 1400s when artists learned they could sketch an image more precisely by inserting a lens into a small hole. Called ‘camera obscura,’ this process produced a sharp image onto a flat surface that could be traced when producing art. This discovery began the process of experimentation with capturing images by employing chemicals and light. In 1837, Louis Daguerre invented the Daguerreotype, a copper plate coated with silver iodide and infused with mercury during the development process. He encountered problems making the images permanent because of chemical degradation, leading to further experimentation to perfect the art of photography. By 1851, a French sculptor discovered glass plates coated with chemicals reduced the cost and permitted multiple reproductions of a single image. Photography studios began springing up throughout Europe where families could sit for a portrait… | Read the full article
