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Photography is a method of making pictures of
the real world by capturing light from objects.
Light can be captured on film – a sheet of plastic
coated with light-sensitive chemicals – or by an
electronic sensor. Since cameras were invented,
in the early 19th century, photographers have
changed the way we see the world. They have
shown us the wonders of nature, microscopic
bacteria, the horrors of war, distant galaxies,
sporting triumphs, and family portraits.Photography
(^1) ACTION
Modern cameras are very
sensitive, and can open and
close their shutters in a fraction
of a second. This allows them
to freeze a moment in time,
showing a footballer scoring
a goal, or a swimmer powering
through the water.
(^2) PORTRAITS
Before photography was invented,
only the very rich could afford to
have portraits painted by artists.
In the early days of photography,
people wore their best clothes to
strike a pose in a photographer’s
studio. Today, family photo albums
chronicle birthdays, holidays,
weddings, and everyday life.
(^3) EARLY CAMERAS
The first cameras, developed
in 1839, were large boxes, which
had long exposure times (the time
needed for photographic film or
an image sensor to be subjected
to light). Early sitters look stiff and
uncomfortable, for they often had
to hold a pose for up to 20 minutes.
Over time, cameras became smaller
and more sensitive to the light.
The speed of the
shutter catches
individual drops
of water
(^4) ADVERTISING ART
The photos we see most often are
adverts, blown up on street hoardings
and in glossy magazines. These photos
are often “retouched” so that the
models look more perfect. In a lipstick
advert, teeth can be whitened,
and lips made to shine.
(^5) LENSES
Cameras work by focusing light
from objects using curved pieces
of glass called lenses. A zoom lens
(above) uses an assembly of several
lenses. By adjusting their distance
from each other, the photographer
can zoom in on distant objects.
Sepia, a brown pigment
derived from cuttlefish,
made printed photos
more durable
Collapsible
bellows allow
the lens to be
folded back into
the camera
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