World Photography Day Celebrates The Evolution Of Photography

World Photography Day takes place on Monday 19th of August. The photography industry is in a constant state of evolution and development, having seen some remarkable progress since Joseph Niépce captured the first-known photographic image in the early 19th century. World Photography Day offers a chance to reflect on the journey of photography and honour some of the most influential figures in the industry.

Simon Bennett, Managing Director of photoGuard says:
“On World Photography Day, we celebrate the art of photography and photographers who have transformed how we see the world from the first photographic image to today's digital images.”

Camera insurer photoGuard investigates the milestones and breakthroughs in the history of photography.

The evolution of photography

Just like any technological progress, much has changed since the initial pioneers of photography experimented with capturing still images. It used to take eight hours to capture a single grainy image, but now instant videos can be recorded. In the 1800s, photographers experimented with new techniques like the camera obscura, leading to faster methods such as the calotype and collodion. Over the last century, photography has seen major breakthroughs, with equipment like drones, DSLR’s, and GoPro’s becoming more accessible to everyone. Now, high-end cameras can capture images with 50MP or more resolution.

The most influential photographers

The 20th century has seen photographers push the boundaries and create timeless pieces. Amongst the most significant photographers are:

Ansel Adams
Ansel Adams was a landscape photographer and conservationist whose work elevated the North American photography. He is well-known for his black-and-white landscapes, which he believed were much more expressive than colour shots.

Richard Avedon
Fashion and portrait photographer Richard Avedon was as big a name within the industry. Avedon worked with some of the biggest cultural icons of the 20th century, including The Beatles, Marilyn Monroe, and Martin Luther King.

David Bailey
East-ender David Bailey worked for British Vogue during the height of the swinging 60’s shooting some of the biggest stars in fashion and music. Bailey’s working-class upbringing was a marked contrast to other British photographers of the time and allowed him to empathise with his subjects and portray them in a different light.

“There are many impactful photographers who shaped the world of photography and to this day inspire aspiring photographers” continues Bennett.

Discover more about the history of photography here