Feb 11, 2025
The first-ever permanent photograph, taken by Joseph Nicéphore Niépce in 1826, needed an exposure time of about eight hours. Due to this long process, moving objects vanished from the frame, leaving only stationary structures visible.
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Before paper became common, the daguerreotype process involved developing images on silver-plated copper sheets. These photos had sharp details but were fragile, expensive, and difficult to duplicate, making them valuable possessions.
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Early cameras required long exposure times, sometimes lasting several minutes. To prevent blurry images, subjects had to remain motionless, often using neck braces and head clamps to keep steady throughout the process.
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Albumen printing, widely used in the 19th century, involved coating paper with egg whites mixed with photographic chemicals. This method produced crisp, glossy images and remained the dominant technique for decades.
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Unlike today’s instant photography, early photographers acted as chemists, preparing their own light-sensitive materials. Many of these substances, including mercury and cyanide, were highly toxic, making photography a risky profession.
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Before the invention of colour photography, artists painstakingly hand-coloured black-and-white prints using special dyes and brushes. This was a time-consuming process, but it was the only way to create lifelike coloured portraits.
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Robert Cornelius, an American photography pioneer, captured the first known photographic self-portrait in 1839. Due to slow exposure times, he had to sit motionless for several minutes, making it one of the earliest examples of a ‘selfie’.
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In the late 19th century, photographers used double exposures and long exposure techniques to create eerie ghost-like images. Many believed these were real spirits captured on film, fuelling paranormal fascination.
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Owning a photograph was once a privilege reserved for the wealthy. Early photographic processes were expensive and required specialist equipment, making portraits an exclusive luxury for aristocrats and influential figures.
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In 1858, French photographer Gaspard-Félix Tournachon, known as Nadar, took the first aerial photograph from a hot air balloon. This groundbreaking achievement paved the way for aerial mapping and modern drone photography.
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