A History of Photography in 50 Cameras
- 224 pages
- 8 hours of reading
Photography, invented in 1839, revolutionized how people perceive their surroundings, with the camera being the key tool that combined chemistry and optics. Initially, cameras were primarily owned by professionals and self-taught entrepreneurs. However, as technology advanced, the demand for affordable cameras grew among the general public. This shift led to designs targeting diverse markets, including children, women, amateurs, and professionals, as well as specialized uses like aerial photography and military applications. By the 1950s, cameras featured electrical components like battery-controlled shutters, paving the way for computer-operated functions in the 1970s. The introduction of commercially viable digital cameras in the early 1980s marked a significant transformation, transitioning from film to CCD sensors and making cameras fully electronic. By the mid-2000s, digital cameras surpassed film cameras in sales, and by 2012, smartphone cameras outsold digital cameras sixfold. This book chronicles the fascinating evolution of the camera by highlighting fifty pivotal models, detailing their origins, developments, and influences on the science, consumption, and art of photography. It serves as a valuable resource for students, curators, and photography enthusiasts.
