Illuminating photography: From camera obscura to camera phone - Eva Timothy

Summary

This script explores the evolution of photography from the camera obscura in the 9th century to the birth of the art in 1839. It highlights the contributions of Henry Fox Talbot and Louis Daguerre, and the eventual triumph of the daguerreotype process. The narrative continues with the challenges of early photography, including long exposure times and the need for dark rooms, leading to the invention of devices like the head holder. George Eastman's innovations made photography accessible to all, culminating in the massive annual production of over 380 billion photographs today.

Takeaways

• 📸 **Photos Everywhere**: Photos are ubiquitous in modern life, found in albums, on devices, and in various physical and digital spaces.
• 🧐 **Historical Mystery**: Creating a realistic image was a significant mystery before the advent of photography.
• 🕋 **Camera Obscura**: Alhazen's camera obscura was an early method for projecting images, which was used by artists like Leonardo DaVinci.
• 📜 **Chemical Discovery**: Johann Heinrich Schultz discovered that light could alter the appearance of silver compounds, a precursor to photography.
• 📅 **Birth of Photography**: Photography was officially born in 1839 with the ability to retain images on light-sensitive surfaces.
• 🏰 **Inventor Rivalry**: Henry Fox Talbot and Louis Daguerre were key figures in early photography, each with a different process.
• 🏆 **Daguerreotype's Success**: The daguerreotype became the first commercially successful photographic process, aided by government support.
• 🚫 **Photography's Early Limitations**: Early photography required dark rooms and long exposure times, making the process cumbersome.
• 😐 **No Smiles in Old Photos**: The difficulty of maintaining a smile for long exposures led to the serious expressions seen in early photographs.
• 🔬 **George Eastman's Innovation**: George Eastman's work led to the development of dry plate and roll film processes, making photography more accessible.
• 🌐 **Impact on Society**: Photography has become a universal pastime, with billions of photos taken annually, far surpassing the early days' output.

Q & A

What was the significance of the camera obscura in the history of photography?

The camera obscura, introduced by Alhazen in the 9th century, was a key development in photography. It projected images through a small hole, allowing artists and scientists to capture reflections on a surface, laying the foundation for later photographic processes.

How did the discovery of silver compounds by Johann Heinrich Schultz contribute to photography?

In 1724, Johann Heinrich Schultz discovered that exposing silver compounds to light caused changes in appearance, leaving marks where light touched. This discovery was a crucial step toward capturing images, though the images Schultz created faded quickly.

What were the main differences between Henry Fox Talbot’s calotype process and Louis Daguerre’s daguerreotype?

Talbot’s calotype process used paper and allowed for multiple copies from a single negative. Daguerre’s daguerreotype used a silvered plate for sharper images, but it could only produce one positive image at a time, requiring a new photo for each copy.

Why did the daguerreotype become the first commercially successful photographic process?

The daguerreotype became the first commercially successful process mainly because the French government made it freely available to the public, allowing widespread adoption despite its limitations in producing copies.

Why did early photographs often depict people with straight faces rather than smiles?

Early photographs required long exposure times of up to two minutes, making it difficult to hold a smile for that duration. As a result, people opted for neutral expressions to avoid moving and blurring the image.

What problem did George Eastman aim to solve with his photographic innovations?

George Eastman aimed to make photography accessible to everyone. He worked to develop dry plates that could be stored and processed later, eliminating the need for darkrooms at the photo location. His invention of plastic roll film and hand-held cameras revolutionized photography by making it convenient and affordable.

How did George Eastman’s innovations change the way people took photographs?

Eastman's invention of plastic roll film and easy-to-use cameras allowed people to take photos without specialized equipment or darkrooms. His cameras became widely popular with the tagline, 'You push the button, we do the rest,' making photography accessible to the masses.

Why was the head holder used in early photography?

The head holder was a wire frame device used to support a person’s head during the long exposure times required for early photographs. It helped people remain still to avoid blurring the image.

What impact did photography have after it became widely accessible?

After photography became widely accessible, it transformed from a scientific and artistic process into a universal pastime. Today, over 380 billion photographs are taken each year, more than were taken in the first hundred years of photography combined.

What was the challenge with early photographic processes like wet plates?

Early photographic processes like wet plates required a darkroom at the location of the photograph, making it cumbersome to transport equipment. This inconvenience and the long exposure times were major challenges before innovations like dry plates and roll film.