In our modern world, cameras can transform the beauty we capture with our naked eyes into single frames with just a button press. But long before the age of snapshots, our forebears experimented and refined, tirelessly shaping the sophisticated devices we recognize today. Join us on an enthralling expedition through the history of the camera and uncover how it turns into an indispensable tool of communication and expression.
In This Article:
When Was The Camera Discovered?
The first experiment with a camera capable of recording images was conducted in 1816 by Joseph Nicéphore Niépce. However, it was Louis Daguerre who, in 1839, unveiled the first design closely resembling the concept of contemporary cameras, known as the daguerreotype. Subsequently, a series of inventions emerged and transformed into the compact devices of our modern world.
A Look Into The History Of The Camera
The Camera Obscura (Pre 17th Century)
The first practical step towards the notion of capturing the world dates back to the 5th century BC with the camera obscura, which translated to the “dark room.” As its name suggests, this setup represents a dark chamber or a sealed container with a small hole in one of its edges. When sunlight penetrates through the aperture, it carries a blurred image of the outside world onto the opposite surface within the enclosure.
There is no definitive historical record of when this concept first appeared. However, its working principle was described by the Chinese philosopher Mozi – long after its practical application was recorded. Later, the Arab physicist Ibn al-Haytham discovered the relationship between the focus and the aperture in this optical device.
While the camera obscura produced ephemeral images, it gained widespread popularity throughout the Middle Ages and the Renaissance. Around 1550, biconvex lenses were integrated into the apertures to enhance the brightness of the projected images. By the end of the 17th century, its portable version housed within tents or boxes was invented.
During its heyday, the camera obscura found diverse applications, primarily in the fields of drawing and painting. It also served as a useful tool for astronomers, facilitating the observation of solar eclipses without causing damage to the eye.
The Photochemistry (From 18-19th century)
Heliography
Joseph Nicéphore Niépce dedicated himself to developing and refining enduring images through his experiments with the camera obscura from 1816. It was not until a decade later (1826) that he succeeded in using a light-sensitive semi-solid substance called the “Asphalt of Syria” or “Bitumen of Judea.” He coated this material on a tin plate housed within a sliding wooden box manufactured by Charles and Vincent Chevalier and exposed it for eight hours.
Niépce termed his revolutionary process “heliography,” which translates to “sun drawing.” This groundbreaking technique gave birth to the first photograph, “View from the Window at Le Gras.” It showcased the picturesque French scenery visible from Niépce’s apartment even when the camera obscura was closed. Nevertheless, due to the extended exposure duration, landscapes remained the sole feasible subjects of heliography.
In his quest to enhance the contrast of his heliographs, Niépce experimented with diverse materials. In 1829, he also collaborated with Louis Daguerre, who shared his vision to create permanent photographs. Unfortunately, the father of heliography passed away in 1833 before the duo could arrive at a partial resolution.
On a positive note, his research not only proved valuable in the revolution of photography but also served as a wellspring of inspiration for subsequent generations in the invention of the camera.
Daguerreotype
Following the passing of his partner, Louis Daguerre of France persisted in his experimental inquiries. By 1839, he introduced a fresh technique of photography known as the daguerreotype.
This innovative process involved coating a copper plate with silver iodide, whose surface layer was highly light-sensitive due to meticulous treatment with specialized substances. Daguerre sealed the metal plate in darkness and exposed it to mercury vapor and chemical substances. Finally, he washed, dried, and enclosed the image in a glass frame.
Distinguished from heliography, the daguerreotype boasted reduced exposure times. This advancement broadened the scope of photographic targets, from landscapes and still lifes to human subjects. Plus, the resulting images exhibited superior quality and portable dimensions.
Recognizing its significance, the French authorities generously gifted the daguerreotype process to the world.
Also, in 1839, Alphonse Giroux signed an agreement with Daguerre to mass-produce the daguerreotype camera with various choices of plate dimensions. At the price of 400 francs (equivalent to $7,000 at current exchange rates), the daguerreotype remained beyond the financial reach of many. Only a few could afford the camera and the material for its operation since each negative produced a single photo.
Calotype
In the era concurrent with the daguerreotype, the English scientist William Henry Fox Talbot pioneered a photographic technique christened “the calotype.” He started his endeavors in the 1830s and presented his findings to the Royal Institution in January 1839. By 1840, he published a complete two-step process for image production.
Instead of metal plates, Talbot experimented with writing papers. He employed the emulsion process, soaking paper in table salt and coating it with silver nitrate. Exposure times were reduced to a mere two to three seconds, incorporating bellows to refine focus.
This methodology heralded the advent of negative printing. In essence, it reversed all the color values during the reproduction process. It also enabled the creation of multiple prints from a singular original negative. The printmakers could also edit the final image by retouching the negative itself.
Despite the significant advantages listed and the cost-effectiveness of wet plates, this technique failed to attain the same level of popularity as daguerreotypes. This was mainly due to the slightly diminished sharpness of calotype images. However, it remained a favored avenue for portrait photography – a popular genre of the epoch.
Mirror Camera
Daguerreotypes have disadvantages, such as expensive applications, long exposure time, and, most importantly, rapid image fading. These shortcomings prompted Alexander Simon Wolcott to devise an innovative solution known as the mirror camera. It is essentially a daguerreotype camera that replaces the lens with a concave reflective mirror.
In the practical process, the mirror redirected light onto an improved photosensitive plate. The positive image formed on the surface coated with chloride and bromide, thus streamlining the development. Wolcott employed outdoor mirrors to enhance light reflection within the studio.
In fact, the mirror camera shortened the portrait exposure times from 30 minutes to 5 minutes while also ensuring the longevity of the resultant photographs. Simon Wolcott and his partners established prominent studios in New York, Washington DC, and England. This marked the first step towards commercial photography service.
The Roll Film Camera
Kodak
Towards the end of the 19th century, a fresh innovation emerged: the dry gelatin plate, which aimed to shorten film development to 1/25 seconds. However, the evolution of cameras persisted unabated.
In 1888, George Eastman revolutionized the photography world with the invention of celluloid film. Integrated into the Kodak cameras, this photographic film technique served up to 100 exposures. Once photographers had exhausted the allocated exposures, they could effortlessly return the camera to the factory for processing and reloading.
The Kodak camera, along with its celluloid film, boasted numerous advantages over its predecessors. Priced at a modest $25, it was within reach of the masses. It also had a fixed-focus lens and single shutter speed—user-friendly features for novices and professionals alike.
In 1900, Eastman further diversified his product line. Notably, among his creations was the Kodak Brownie. With its simple operation and affordability compared to earlier models, the device contributed to the widespread adoption of this art form. This innovation propelled him to become one of the wealthiest individuals in the United States while Kodak maintained its leading position in the industry.
35mm Camera
The 35mm film was a pioneering creation by Oskar Barnack, a distinguished researcher at Leitz. He initiated his experiments in 1913, but the onset of World War I impeded the progression. It was not until the war’s conclusion that Leitz brought the Leica camera to market after a successful testing phase from 1923 to 1924.
This 35×24 mm film option initially offered 36 exposures. Users inserted the cassette, wound it up, and triggered the shutter. Photographers could then freely retrieve the film from the camera and transfer it to the manufacturer without undue concern for light exposure.
The remarkable compatibility of the 35mm film enabled any camera manufacturer to exploit its benefits. Contax made its debut in 1932, and Kodak entered the market along with the Retina I models in 1934.
Nonetheless, the Leica company reigned supreme during that time with pioneering features that have become industry standards. Their models featured three interchangeable lens options, including 35 mm, 50 mm, and 135 mm. They also came with advancements like 1/1000-second shutter speeds, contemporary rangefinders, and viewfinders.
Polaroid
Exposure time has shortened since the era of the daguerreotype. However, in 1948, the art of photography once again witnessed a remarkable milestone—the Polaroid instant camera, created by Edwin Land under the auspices of the Polaroid Corporation.
Early iterations of the Polaroid consisted of two negative and positive films adhered together with silver halide emulsion. Following the capture, users would peel away the negative to unveil the developed photograph. Subsequent models streamlined this process by automating the entire sequence.
The instant camera maintained its popularity from the 1970s to the 90s. The on-the-spot image development satisfied users, while the characteristic white frame and nostalgic color palette further contributed to the enduring allure of this photography medium.
The Digital Era
CCD Imaging Camera
The advent of digitization saw its inception in 1975 with the first self-contained digital camera by Steven Sasson at Eastman Kodak. This pioneering design included Fairchild semiconductor solid-state sensors, electronic lenses, and Motorola components.
The final product weighed 4 kilograms and offered a resolution of 0.01 megapixels. It took 23 seconds to produce a black and white image saved onto a small cassette tape.
Steven Sasson initially conceived this design as an experimental endeavor. However, in 1976, the sensor supplier Fairchild commercialized CCD cameras. These devices found prominent applications in product inspection, notably by industry giant Procter and Gamble.
CMOS Imaging Camera
The inception of CMOS cameras took root in the late 1960s. However, complementary metal oxide semiconductor technology was not sufficiently advanced during that era to transform into a viable device.
Until 1993, Eric Fossum’s team at NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory yielded good results. Sabrina Kemeny departed NASA two years later and established Photobit Corporation to commercialize CMOS cameras.
By 2007, the sales of CMOS sensors eclipsed those of CCDs. Embraced by phone manufacturers, CMOS technology is now used in most smartphones and digital cameras.
Digital SLR Camera (DSLR)
The evolution of the first DSLR camera involved a series of trials and errors. An early example includes the Fuji DS-1P, introduced in 1988 as the first handheld device capable of recording images as files. This model utilized a battery-powered SRAM memory card for data storage.
In 1991, Kodak made its foray into this burgeoning market with the Kodak DCS. It became the first widely accessible DSLR, priced at $13,000 at the time. Though the sensor was up to 1.3 megapixels, it necessitated a cumbersome external storage setup.
The advent of JPEG and MPEG image formats benefited modern photography’s digitization. By 1999, Nikon developed its own D1 model featuring a 2.74-megapixel sensor. Fujifilm released the FinePix S1 Pro a year later, which garnered widespread acclaim among average consumers.
Mirrorless Camera
Mirrorless cameras eliminate the reflex mirror and feature an electronic viewfinder rather than an optical one. This design offers advantages such as compact dimensions and silent operation, making them ideal for travel photographers and individuals prioritizing portability.
Since their debut in the market in 2010, mirrorless cameras have undergone significant advancements. They now rival DSLRs in performance thanks to comparable sensor sizes, wide lens selections, and great image quality.
Furthermore, they excelled in focus-peaking display, face tracking, live depth-of-field preview, and low-light visibility. The decision between a mirrorless camera and a DSLR often boils down to personal preference rather than a strict technical necessity.
Smartphone Cameras
One thing is certain: the phone camera is the prevailing choice in contemporary times. Its inception dates back to 1999 with the introduction of the Kyocera VP-210. This device features a screen of 2 inches to display the captured image upon pressing the button. However, the phone cameras were only widely recognized as the golden era of smartphones unfolded.
Modern cameras on smartphones have transitioned from CCD technology to complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS) chips. Those smartphones boast multiple high-resolution lenses. Video recording and editing functionalities were also added to enhance user experiences. These sophisticated features eroded the competitive edge once held by digital cameras.
Conclusion
From its humble beginnings as a primitive device for creating images using sunlight to a pocket-size device in our modern world, the camera has come a long way. Its birth and development have marked many pivotal moments in the photography industry and human history. It has changed the way we capture the beauty of everything around us. As technology continues to evolve, it is exciting to expect what the future holds for the development of the camera.
