Evolution of the camera
(10 minutes read time)
Since its invention in the early 19th century, photography has come a long way. From the earliest days of Daguerreotype to the latest advancements in digital technology, the evolution of the camera has been a fascinating journey.
This article will delve into the history of photo cameras and explore how they have transformed from simple light-capturing devices to sophisticated instruments capable of capturing moments and memories with stunning clarity and detail. Get ready to explore the journey of photo cameras from the earliest days to the present and discover how they have changed the way we see the world. Whether you are a photography enthusiast or simply curious about the history of this fantastic invention, this article is for you.
Timeline:
1825/6: The first permanent photograph is created by Nicéphore Niépce. [1][2]
Above: “View from the Window at Le Gras”
Research note: The exact date of the creation of this piece is unknown and is referenced as both 1825 and 1826 by reputable sources. Other sources online have also stated 1827 however lack any additional references to support this date. To reflect this uncertainty between 1825 and 1826 I have provided references for both years in the reference section below. Furthermore, it is not proven to be the first photograph however it is assessed to have a “fair” claim to this title. [3]
1835: Louis Daguerre developed the daguerreotype process, which creates a highly detailed and unique image. [4]
Above: Still life with plaster casts, made by Daguerre in 1837, the earliest reliably dated daguerreotype.
Research note: The date of invention of the process is that when the Paris correspondent of the London periodical The Athenaeum reported the public announcement of the daguerreotype in 1839, Daguerre mentioned that the daguerreotypes now being produced were of considerably better quality than the ones he had seen "four years earlier". [5] It is thought the process was also documented in 1837 where it was refined further ahead of the public release two years later in 1839.
Above: The earliest reliably dated photograph of people, View of the Boulevard du Temple was taken by Daguerre one spring morning in 1838 from the window of the Diorama, where he lived and worked. It bears the caption huit heures du matin (translation: eight o'clock in the morning).
Research note: ‘View of the Boulevard du Temple’ destroyed by cleaning in 1974 but they are preserved in reproduction. [6]
1888: George Eastman introduces the first portable camera, the Kodak, which uses roll film. [7]
1924: Leitz announces the Leica, the first practical 35mm camera. (Released in 1925). [8]
Above: Leica 35 mm 1(A) Camera. [9]
1948: Polaroid introduces the instant camera, which produces a finished print in minutes. [10]
1975: The first digital electronic still camera made at Eastman Kodak, is introduced. [11]
1991: Kodak introduces the first commercially available digital SLR camera, the DCS 100. [12]
2000: Canon releases the EOS D30, the first consumer digital SLR camera. [13] and the first camera phone is introduced in Japan by Sharp (the Sharp J-SH04). [14]
Above: Sharp J-SH04 camera phone. [15]
2008: The first full-frame digital SLR camera, the Canon EOS 5D Mark II, is introduced. [16]
Early cameras:
Camera obscura is one of the earliest types of cameras. It is a device that predates the modern camera and consists of a box or room with a hole in one side. When light passes through the hole, it projects an inverted image of the outside world onto a surface inside the camera obscura. Artists used this device as a drawing aid, the basis for developing the modern camera.
The Daguerreotype camera was invented in the late 1830s by Louis Daguerre. This early photography camera used a metal plate coated with light-sensitive chemicals to capture an image. When the plate was exposed to light through the camera's lens, the chemicals would change and produce a direct positive image on the plate. The Daguerreotype process was one of the first successful methods of capturing a photographic image. The Daguerreotype process was popular worldwide in the mid-19th century.
William Henry Fox Talbot invented the Calotype camera in the mid-1830s. This early camera used a light-sensitive paper negative to produce a positive print. When the paper was exposed to light through the camera's lens, the chemicals on the paper would change and produce a negative image. This negative image could produce a positive print through contact printing or enlargement. The Calotype process was one of the earliest forms of negative-positive photography and was an essential step in the development of modern photography. This process was released to the public in 1841. [17]
The Ambrotype camera was another type of early photography camera that used a glass plate coated with light-sensitive chemicals to capture an image. When the plate was exposed to light through the camera's lens, the chemicals would change and produce a direct positive image on the plate. Unlike the Daguerreotype, the Ambrotype was less expensive to produce and could be made in larger sizes, making it a popular choice for portrait photography in the mid-19th century.
The Tintype camera was an early photography camera that used a metal plate coated with light-sensitive chemicals to capture an image. The Tintype was similar to the Ambrotype, but was made using a thin iron plate instead of glass. This difference made the Tintype less fragile and more durable, making it a popular choice for outdoor and travel photography in the mid-19th century.
These early cameras represented the beginning of the photography industry and laid the foundation for the development of modern photography. Despite their limitations, these cameras were instrumental in capturing images of the world in a way that was never before possible and have had a lasting impact on the art and science of photography.
20th Century Cameras:
The history of film photographic stills cameras dates back to the late 19th century when advances in optics and light-sensitive materials made it possible to capture images in a portable, handheld camera.
The first commercially successful film camera was the Kodak Brownie, which was introduced in 1900 [18]. The Brownie was a simple, affordable camera that used roll film to capture images. It was designed to be accessible to the general public and was marketed as a way for people to capture memories of their everyday lives.
In the early 20th century, film cameras became more sophisticated by introducing better lenses, shutters, and other improvements. The development of flexible roll film also made it possible to create lighter and more portable cameras. One of the essential innovations in film camera technology was the 35mm film format, which was introduced in the 1920s. This format enabled it to capture many high-quality images on a single roll of film and was quickly adopted by professional photographers and filmmakers.
In the 1950s and 1960s, the introduction of automatic exposure controls and other features made film cameras even more user-friendly, and the popularity of photography continued to grow.
In the late 20th century, the rise of digital photography began to challenge the dominance of film cameras. By the early 21st century, digital cameras had become the preferred choice for most photographers and consumers. However, film cameras and film photography still have a devoted following, and there continues to be a market for film cameras and film photography supplies.
21st Century Cameras:
The period when digital cameras were first introduced into the camera market can be roughly described as the late 1990s to early 2000s.
The first commercially available digital cameras were produced in the early 1990s. Still, they were large, expensive, and had limited functionality compared to traditional film cameras. Despite these limitations, digital cameras began to gain popularity among professional photographers and early adopters who saw the potential of the new technology.
In the late 1990s and early 2000s, digital camera technology improved rapidly. Cameras became smaller, less expensive, and had better image quality and features. This made digital cameras more accessible to a broader range of consumers, including amateur photographers and families. The growth of the internet and the ability to easily share images online also helped drive digital cameras' popularity.
During this time, digital cameras were still considered to be a new and somewhat novel technology, and traditional film cameras continued to be widely used. However, the rapid pace of innovation and improvement in digital cameras meant that they quickly gained market share and began to replace film cameras as the preferred choice for most photographers. Digital cameras became more popular than film cameras in the mid-2000s. By 2005, digital cameras had become widely available, and their image quality, convenience, and affordability had greatly improved. This made them famous for amateur photographers and families who wanted to take photos quickly and share them online.
Professional photographers were also adopting digital cameras as their preferred choice due to the improved image quality, the ability to see images immediately after taking them, and the ease of editing and manipulating digital images.
As a result of these factors, the sales of digital cameras surpassed those of film cameras around 2005, marking a major shift in the photography industry. By the late 2000s, digital cameras had become the dominant type of camera, and film cameras had become a niche product.
In recent years, the development of mirrorless cameras and smartphones has continued to shape the photography landscape and push the boundaries of what is possible with digital cameras. Mirrorless cameras, first introduced in the late 2000s, have become increasingly popular in recent years. They offer the image quality and versatility of a traditional digital single-lens reflex (DSLR) camera but in a compact, lightweight design. Mirrorless cameras are popular with amateur and professional photographers alike for their portability, fast autofocus, and advanced features.
Smartphones have also had a major impact on the photography landscape. The built-in cameras in smartphones have improved dramatically in recent years, with many models now offering high-resolution sensors, enhanced low-light performance, and advanced features such as optical image stabilization and high dynamic range imaging. As a result, smartphones have become an increasingly popular choice for taking photos, especially for those who want a convenient, always-with-you camera.
However, despite the rapid advancements in smartphone and mirrorless camera technology, digital single-lens reflex (DSLR) cameras remain a popular choice for professional photographers who require the highest image quality, versatility, and control.
Looking to the future:
The direction that photography cameras are moving towards is the integration of advanced technologies to enhance the photography experience. This includes high-resolution sensors, improved image processing, faster autofocus systems, and greater connectivity. Additionally, there is a trend towards more compact and portable cameras and the integration of artificial intelligence and machine learning to automate tasks such as subject tracking and scene recognition. Another trend is the popularity of mirrorless cameras, which offer a smaller form factor, quicker autofocus, and more intuitive control over settings compared to traditional DSLRs. Camera manufacturers aim to provide photographers with the best possible image quality and versatility in a compact and easy-to-use package.
Furthermore, one area I believe will have the biggest impact on the industry in the next one hundred years is computational photography.
Computational photography is a rapidly growing field that combines computer science and photography to produce images that would be difficult or impossible to capture using traditional camera hardware alone. It involves using algorithms to process and enhance photos in real time and use additional information from multiple images or the camera's sensors. This results in new possibilities for photography, such as improved low-light performance, enhanced dynamic range, and more accurate and selective focus.
One example of computational photography in action is using multi-camera arrays in high-end smartphones, which allows for capturing images with a wider field of view, improved depth sensing, and improved image quality in challenging lighting conditions. Another example is using artificial intelligence algorithms to assist with tasks such as automatically selecting the best shot from a burst of photos or creating a bokeh effect by automatically detecting and blurring the background.
Computational photography is shaping the future of photography and is set to have a major impact on the design and development of cameras. As technology advances, we can expect to see more sophisticated applications of computational photography, allowing for new and exciting possibilities in the world of photography.
Wrapping things up:
The world of photography has come a long way since the invention of the camera obscura. Today, many different types of cameras are available to suit a wide range of photography needs, from simple point-and-shoot cameras to advanced digital SLRs. Whether you're an amateur photographer looking to capture memories or a professional photographer needing the highest image quality and control, there is a camera that is right for you.
The evolution of digital cameras has transformed how we take and share photos. The future of photography is exciting, and we can look forward to continued advancements in camera technology and innovations in how we capture and share our memories.
For more information and articles like this one please see my other articles.
All the best
- Kieran
References:
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[2] : Gustavson, Todd (2009). Camera: a history of photography from daguerreotype to digital. New York: Sterling Publishing Co., Inc. ISBN 978-1-4027-5656-6.
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[4] : Lowry, Bates & Lowry, Isabel Barrett The Silver Canvas
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[6] : Sylviaballhause. 2012. The Munich Daguerre-Triptych. [ONLINE] Available at: https://www.sylviaballhause.de/assets/Textdateien/Daguerre-folder-safe.pdf?PHPSESSID=j1glkdmv6iv6a04gcv486m6ip4. [Accessed 3 February 2023].
[7] : Fineman, Mia. “Kodak and the Rise of Amateur Photography.” In Heilbrunn Timeline of Art History. New York: The Metropolitan Museum of Art, 2000–. http://www.metmuseum.org/toah/hd/kodk/hd_kodk.htm (October 2004). [Accessed 19 February 2023].
[8] : Leica 35 mm 1(a) camera. National Museum of American History. Smithsonian. Available at: https://americanhistory.si.edu/collections/search/object/nmah_834692#:~:text=The%20Leica%201(A)%20was,for%20popularizing%2035mm%20film%20photography. [Accessed February 19 2023].
[9] : Leica 35 mm 1(A) Camera. National Museum of American History. Smithsonian. Available at: https://ids.si.edu/ids/deliveryService?id=NMAH-AHB2013q105118 [Accessed February 19 2023].
[10] : American Chemical Society National Historic Chemical Landmarks. Edwin Land and Polaroid Photography. http://www.acs.org/content/acs/en/education/whatischemistry/landmarks/land-instant-photography.html [Accessed February 19 2023].
[11] : Goodrich, J. (2022) The first digital camera was the size of a toaster, IEEE Spectrum. IEEE Spectrum. Available at: https://spectrum.ieee.org/first-digital-camera-history [Accessed February 19 2023].
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[16] : EOS 5D Mark II. EOS 5D Mark II - canon camera museum. Canon Camera Museum. Available at: https://global.canon/en/c-museum/product/dslr800.html [Accessed February 19 2023].
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[18] : Brownell, F.A. (1903) “US725034A.”