World Photography Day

Today, photography is everywhere, every moment, we live photography. From research work to entertainment, from documentation to creating stunning works of art. Significance: The first announcement of a photograph was made on August 19th, 1839. Arago made a presentation to the French Academies des Sciences and Beaux Arts, and described in great details the photography process invented by Daguerre.

Today, photography is everywhere, every moment, we live photography. From research work to entertainment, from documentation to creating stunning works of art.

Significance: The first announcement of a photograph was made on August 19th, 1839. Arago made a presentation to the French Academies des Sciences and Beaux Arts, and described in great details the photography process invented by Daguerre.

Daguerre Louis Jacques Mande (November 18, 1787, Cormeilles, France — July 10, 1851, Bry-sur-Marne) was a French artist and inventor, and one of the creators of photography. He developed (with the help of Niepce's experiments) the first practical relevant photography method - Daguerrotypy (1839).

Daguerrotypy: Daguerres’ idea was to obtain an image on a bright surface of a silver plate sodden with iodide vapors, which made it photosensitive. He put the plate into a camera obscura, exposed, and developed with mercury vapors.

He achieved results in 1837, after 11 years of experiments. He fixed the image developed with the mercury vapors by bathing it in a strong solution of salt and hot water. After 1839 he changed salt in the fixation process to natrium sulfate — a locating fixture discovered by John Herschel. As a result the silver iodide particles that had not been influenced by light washed away. Exposure time in the camera obscura was between 15 and 30 minutes (whereas Niepce heliography required up to 8 hours).

The whole process produced a single photo - a positive, named a daguerreotype by the author. It was impossible to produce several such plates. The image on a plate was mirror-like and you could have a good look at it only in certain light.

Though it was Niepce who invented Photography it  was Daguerre who concentrated on popularization of the daguerreotype process: he arranged demonstrations for artists and scientists

This is well documented in photography history books, encyclopedias, as well as in various articles by authors of standing.

Celebration: IIPC- India International Photographic Council commenced celebrating August 19th as World Photography Day in 1991 and has encouraged other societies in other countries to do the same.

Being a Photographer I consider this day as a symbol of dedication and hardwork  Daguerre showed in his work. On this day I fondly remember and want to thank Late Mr. R.R Prabhu & my guru Late Mr. Vilas Bhende (the pioneers of Advertising Photography in India) who introduced me to this mesmerizing world of Imaging.

Here’s wishing you all A Very Happy World Photography Day.

 

 

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