11/21/2019 SEP Research Paper - Google Docs

The Evolution of Photography

Aylin A. Perez

Senior Exit Project

Eva Peters

12 October 2019

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Aylin A. Perez

Eva Peters

Senior Exit Project

12 October 2019

The Evolution of Photography

Introduction

Looking down at the caramel-colored coat of my first dog. I realized the feeling of

attachment I felt when looking at the photo, knowing it would be a completely different feeling for

anyone else. Photography is a significant part of society because it is in the media. It is difficult to

believe how much photographs have evolved to this day, from camera types to impacts on society.

The same picture taken by 10 different people would have different outcomes; style, the way

someone views an object, and technique all play a part in photography.

What is Photography?

Photography is very complex, there are many parts to it. Although the meaning of

photography is drawing with light. There are numerous types of photography, along with the types

there are technical aspects to it as well. Different people looking at photography bring out different

aspects of what they see. “You can tell by looking at two photographs which one is which, but

conveying how to get from being an amateur to a pro is not an easy task” (Photography Talk). By

looking at two photographs, you can easily differentiate which one is just a picture and which one

is an actual photograph.

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In order for someone to understand the meaning of photography, it needs to be broken

down. “In layman’s terms, photography is quite simply the process of capturing light with a camera

to create an image” (Photography Talk). The first photograph taken is an important part of

photography. It shows the process of photography in one of the best ways possible.

History of Photography

Photography started building itself up in 1852. During the Renaissance different artists

began to use a primitive camera, which they called Camera obscura. This was to take art to

another level, rather than drawing everything photographs were taken instead. The camera obscura

allowed the viewing of that image. Artists had to trace the image in the actual camera in order to

record it permanently. “The technology which led to the invention of photography essentially

combines two distinct sciences: optics- the convergence of light rays to form an image inside a

camera- and chemistry to enable;e that image to be captured and recorded permanently onto a

photosensitive surface” (Young). The photosensitive surface is a light-sensitive surface. Thomas

Wedgwood produced a black and white negative image on paper inside a camera obscura. A white

chemical was known to make the image darker when exposed to light, that chemical was silver

nitrate on white leather.

Nicéphore Nièpce was able to capture images on paper that contained silver chloride,

which is another chemical that is sensitive to light. Although he wasn’t able to keep or fix them

since the images were overexposed. Nièpce began to experiment with light-sensitive substances, in

1826 he was able to complete his process of keeping the camera photograph. That happened to be

the first photograph ever taken. It was a view from a window in his hometown in France. The

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photograph was captured on a pewter plate which was coated in bitumen which was diluted in

lavender oil. Although the exposure could have been several days.

Photography Techniques

There are all kinds of different types of cameras that can be used in photography. Although

all cameras focus on the subject and each has a device to record the image. The device is a sensor

that electronically records the image digitally. Lens length, focus, aperture, and depth of field are all

things to be aware of in photography. They can make or break your photograph.

Focus is an important part of photography. Most cameras have a system that automatically

focuses. Although it is not quite that simple, photographers still have to pay attention to where the

camera is focusing. By holding the shutter release button, it makes it easier for the camera to focus

and for the photographer to rearrange whatever is needed. Not all photographers will have the

subject right in the center of the frame. “When shooting a close-up of a face, focus on the eye

nearest the camera” (Tooth). Looking through the viewfinder will make it easier to check whether

or not the subject you want is in focus.

Depth of field is a distance between the camera and the furthest subject in focus. A camera

can and will only focus on one subject clearly. “Without getting too technical, how you will be

viewing the image, and at what size you will be looking at it are factors which contribute to how

acceptable sharp an image is” (Gray). The distance between the subject and camera is an important

factor. The closer they are the smaller the depth of field will be, and the further they are the

photograph will have a large depth of field. Having a smaller aperture will allow you to have more

of the photograph in focus. Having a larger or wider aperture will allow the camera to focus on the

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subject and will blur the background. When wanting to adjust the depth of field, aperture is the first

thing that photographers think of.

Aperture is an opening in the lens that lets the light come through the lens and to the sensor.

A small aperture is when the lens allows less light to come through, which causes more depth of

field. A large or wide aperture allows more light to come through, which is less depth of field. A

shallow depth of field has a large aperture and small f-stop numbers. Although small apertures

make photographs with a larger depth of fields and large f-stop numbers.

Cameras

With the zoom lens, you’ll be able to explore the different types of focal lengths and the

effects that are created. The wide-angle will create distortions which will show a different view of

what you see. It also emphasizes different aspects of an image. Wide-angle lenses are used for

landscape photography and group photographs. Zoom lenses are one of the lenses that have

varying apertures. When using a zoom lens, it will be at its max aperture. This varies due to the

changing of the zoom. When zooming in, the optics will change to focus on the new setting.

The standard lens is the most popular lens and it is the closest to the angle of what a human

sees. This lens doesn’t have as much distortion and can enhance the subject. “Standard lenses are

the popular choice for a wide range of photography including portrait, nature and low light

situations where the photographer can not use a flash or is looking to capture the scene with

available light” (Black). This lens uses a large aperture, which allows more light to come through

the lens. With this large aperture, it gives the background a satisfying out of focus effect. Which

makes the person looking at the photograph focus on the subject.

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The telephoto lens is good for close up which slightly flattens the perspective. “Telephoto

lenses between 70- 200mm are very popular lenses for portrait and product photography,” (Black).

This lens is mostly used to photograph nature and wildlife. The telephoto lens allows the

photographer to get a close up cropped picture. This lens permits the photographer to take a photo

from a distance that doesn’t bother the subject. When using a telephoto lens, it is best to use a large

or wide aperture. This will allow the subject to be isolated and stand out. The background will be

out of focus so that it is not as distracting.

Macro lenses are used to take photographs up close. “Close-up photography uses a specific

range of lenses that allow up to 1:1 reproduction” (Black). These lenses are mostly used for taking

pictures of small objects and flowers. The depth of field plays an important part when using a

macro lens. Due to the depth of field, a small aperture is better to use. “The important thing to keep

in mind is that the lens’ focal length will determine your field of view, working distance available

and background blur capable when photographing your subject” (Carnathan). The focal length of

the camera will dictate how the photograph will turn out. Whether the subject will be in focus and

whether the background will complement the subject.

Style of Photography

Photography is an artistic and creative process. The creative process increases the camera’s

features which allow a variety of styles and different ideas. The style of photography allows artists

to be unique and stand out. Style can be a particular category of photography or it can be the look

or feel in a photograph. A genre of photography is a type of photography the photographer focuses

on such as landscape, fashion, and sports.

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While taking landscape photos, photographers tend to use a wide-angle zoom lens because

of the focal length. Telephoto lenses can also be used in landscape photography but they are not

used for the high focal length. Photographers that take landscape photographs use a focal length of

less than 300mm. “A telephoto lens has a focal length greater than 50mm, a wide-angle lens is less

than 50mm, and a standard lens has a focal length of 50mm” (Haslego). The wide-angle lens is

able to give more depth in the photograph.

Wildlife photography is said to be exciting and adventurous. “In reality it is extremely

challenging wildlife photographers find themselves at the mercy of inclement weather and

sometimes even face danger” (Haslego). It is better to know the form of life and behavior in the

habitat the photographer plans to photograph in. It is important to know how the animal behaves so

that the photographer is aware of their surroundings. “Animals will become more aware of you

when you enter close to their habitat but will usually not attack if you keep your distance”

(Haslego). Although the photographer must be aware of the distance because the animals will be

thrown off and feel threatened by the photographer’s presence.

The length of the lens and where the photograph is being shot from are some of the biggest

aspects when photographing sporting events. Sports photographers use telephoto lenses because

this lens enhances the subject. “The focal length to choose from in telephoto lenses varies from 60

to 1000mm” (Haslego). When photographing field events it is necessary to have a lens with a

higher focal length which gives a wider view of the area. Have a good understanding of the sport

will be beneficial to help get different angles. Wherever the photographer is located can also impact

the photo because it ensures that you are getting an unforgettable moment during the game.

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Documentary photography is a style of photography where photographs capture real-life

settings and situations. Since the first photograph was created in 1826, photography has been

wanting to capture interest in documenting aspects of contemporary life. “As a result,

Documentary photography became a genre as early as the mid-1800s” (Hine). Since then

documentary photography became a series of sub-genres, some of these styles were; Social

documentary, War photography, the photo essay, and many more. Documentary photography gives

separation from art photography because it tends to show more of reality.

Impact on Society

Society has changed because of photography, it impacts the way we look at things. One of

the main things it has changed is memory. “Photography changed the way we remember things”

(Huds). It allows us to remember events and a certain amount of reality. Photographs are known as

a confirmation of something someone remembers. Photography played an important role in our

history as well. Well-known events are captured in photographs. “They were key, for instance, in

confirming for the public that ravages of the Civil War and horrors of the Holocaust” (Huds).

A number of people employed in the photography industry have impacted society. In the

1920s, 35mm film was introduced by the company Kodak. “The innovation meant a number of

people were needed to sell and service cameras and films” (Huds). That also meant that new

employment was needed in order to sell and service cameras and film. Not everyone had access to

a camera, upper-class people were mostly the ones who had cameras. Once Kodak invented cheap

film and the instant camera, the public could point and shoot which allowed photography to

spread.

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In science, the camera became a tool for scientists. “For example, Eadweard Muybridge’s

ability to shoot consecutive photographs in quick succession demonstrated that a horse has all four

legs off the ground at certain points when running” (Huds). Photography has helped scientists

answer questions they have, it has changed scientific change in brain scanning and evaluations of

the human body. “Previously, art had been used to simply reproduce the world, but photography

could do that better than any other form, and much more quickly” (Huds). It is stated that the

invention of photography freed traditional arts such as painting, sculpting, and literature. After

photography came out, artists had to find new ways of functioning in art-making.

Conclusion

People look at things differently, especially photographs. Photography has different

meanings, a person can look at a picture and feel so many different ways. Although photography

may just seem like pointing a shooting, it’s not. There are many things that go into a picture in

order to make it look the way you want it to. Photographers have to look at many different things

such as the camera, what type of lens it needs, the type of lens you need in a certain style of

photography. All of this can impact society, because of the reality that a photograph can capture.

Photography has evolved in so many ways, due to the evolution of photography is everywhere.

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Works Cited

Black, Dave, et al. “Focal Length: Understanding Camera Zoom & Lens Focal Length: Nikon

from Nikon.” Focal Length | Understanding Camera Zoom & Lens Focal Length | Nikon

from Nikon, 2019.

www.nikonusa.com/en/learn-and-explore/a/tips-and-techniques/understanding-focal-length.html#.

Gray, Elizabeth. “Elizabeth.” Photography Life, 2019,

photographylife.com/what-is-depth-of-field.

Haslego, Chris. “Specialized Styles of Photography.” PictureCorrect, 2013,

www.picturecorrect.com/tips/specialized-styles-of-photography/.

Huds, Dirk. “The Impact of Photography on Society.” Our Pastimes, 10 Jan. 2019,

ourpastimes.com/the-impact-of-photography-on-society-12377030.html.

Hine, Lewis. “Documentary Photography Movement Overview.” The Art Story, 2019,

www.theartstory.org/movement/documentary-photography/.

Tooth, Roger. “Basic Camera Techniques | Guardian Photography Guide.” The Guardian,

Guardian News and Media, 16 Nov. 2012,

www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/2012/nov/16/photography-camera-tips.

Young, Rebecca. “The Birth of Photography.” Napoleon.org, 2017,

www.napoleon.org/en/young-historians/napodoc/the-birth-of-photography/

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Editor, PT. “What Is Photography?” PhotographyTalk, 30 Apr. 2019,

www.photographytalk.com/what-is-photography.

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