The History of Photography: From Daguerreotypes to Digital Cameras

In 1839, Louis Daguerre introduced the daguerreotype, the first practical photographic process.

These images were created on silver-plated copper, requiring long exposure times and dangerous chemicals.

Despite the challenges, daguerreotypes became wildly popular, offering people their first chance to preserve their likeness.

This invention marked the beginning of photography as an art and a scientific breakthrough.

By the late 19th century, George Eastman revolutionized photography with roll film and the Kodak camera.

His slogan, 'You press the button, we do the rest,' made photography accessible to the masses.

No longer limited to professionals, everyday people could now capture moments effortlessly.

This innovation laid the foundation for modern photography and the rise of amateur photographers worldwide.

The 20th century saw the rise of 35mm film, pioneered by Leica in the 1920s.

This compact format allowed photographers to capture spontaneous moments with ease.

Photojournalism flourished, bringing iconic images from wars, protests, and everyday life.

The ability to freeze time in a single frame changed how we documented history, making photography an essential

storytelling tool.

The digital revolution in the late 20th century transformed photography forever.

The first consumer digital cameras emerged in the 1990s, eliminating the need for film.

By the 2000s, smartphones put high-quality cameras in everyone’s pocket.

Today, AI and computational photography push the boundaries even further, making photography more accessible, creative, and instantaneous than

ever before.