August 19 is World Photography Day, a day to pay homage to the history of photography, celebrate the present, and leave a positive trail for the future. World Photography Day is an annual, worldwide celebration of the art, craft, science, and history of photography.

History of Photography Day

The photograph originally was made by Nicéphore Niépce, using silver chloride coating a piece of paper. However, the photo would eventually turn fully dark as he knew no way to remove the silver chloride from the paper to preserve the photo.

Photographs got better and better over the years, first with the ‘still camera’, and the ability to take a picture that way. Think of the old west in America, and that camera’s differences to the ones of World War 2, then compare them to modern cameras. The major jumps in technology affected photography as much as any other facet of life around the world.

With Kodak, Canon and so many other brands out there, it was of no surprise when the market of photography got such a jump, even more so with the military and surveillance capabilities offered as cameras got better, lighter, and more easily used.

Yet for all the innovation and creativity, science, and even the large amount of art that occurs in the photography realm, not much can beat the simple pleasure of snapping photos and developing your frames to enjoy the integrity of the photos.

5 AMAZING FACTS ABOUT PHOTO DAY

1. Moonshot

   The first photo of the moon was taken in 1851.

2. Let them take pics

   Daguerre’s father named one of his daughters Marie Antoinette.

3. The dancing painter

   When Daguerre went to Paris he was an extra on the stage of Paris’ famed Opera and was known for his dancing skills.

4. Picture/Victoria

   Queen Victoria and Prince Albert had a darkroom that they used to process photography.

5. Letter marked

   The earliest known use of the abbreviated “photo” was from Queen Victoria in an 1860 letter.

PHOTO DAY DATES