Photo, from its humble beginnings with the camera obscura to the digital revolution of the 21st century, has evolved into a ubiquitous medium, shaping how we perceive and interact with the world around us.
Photo definition, meaning and etymology
The word “photo” originates from the Greek word “phōtos,” which means “light.” A photo (also known as a photograph, image, or picture) is a visual representation created by capturing light on a photosensitive surface, such as film or a digital sensor. It serves to preserve moments, emotions, and memories, transcending time and space.
History of photos
The roots of photos and photography can be traced back to ancient civilizations. In the 4th century BC, the camera obscura, a precursor to the modern camera, was used to project images onto surfaces. However, in the early 19th century the concept of capturing and preserving images permanently began to take shape.
In 1826, Joseph Nicéphore Niépce produced the world’s first successful photograph, known as “View from the Window at Le Gras,” using a process known as heliography. This groundbreaking achievement laid the foundation for modern photography.
In the following years, inventors such as Louis Daguerre and William Henry Fox Talbot refined photographic techniques. This led to the development of the daguerreotype and calotype processes. These early photographic methods revolutionized portraiture and documentary photography, making it more accessible to the masses.
Throughout the 19th and 20th centuries, photos continued to evolve rapidly, with advancements in equipment, techniques, and artistic expression. The invention of flexible film by George Eastman in the late 19th century made photography more portable and convenient, paving the way for the emergence of amateur photographers and photojournalism.
In the 20th century, there was a rise of iconic photographers such as Ansel Adams, Henri Cartier-Bresson, and Dorothea Lange, whose works captured pivotal moments in history and reshaped visual culture.
The digital revolution of the late 20th century transformed the landscape of photos and photography, replacing traditional film with electronic sensors and pixels. Digital cameras, image editing software, and online platforms democratized photography, enabling anyone with a camera to create and share images instantaneously.
Today, photos are part of every aspect of society, from social media and advertising to fine art and scientific research. The accessibility of cameras on smartphones has made photography an integral part of everyday life, empowering individuals to document their experiences and perspectives like never before.
Types of photos
Photographs can be divided into 2 main categories:
- Non-digital
- Digital
1. Non-digital photos
Before the digital era, non-digital photography relied on a two-step chemical process. Initially, a light-sensitive film captured a negative image, where colors and light/dark areas were inverted. To produce a positive image, the negative was commonly transferred, or “printed,” onto photographic paper.
Another method involved processing the film to invert the negative image, resulting in positive transparencies often mounted in frames, known as slides. These transparencies were favored by professionals for their sharpness and accurate color rendition before the rise of digital photography.
The transition from monochromatic to color photos occurred gradually, with color photo development methods existing since 1861 but only becoming widely accessible in the 1940s or 1950s. Even into the 1960s, black-and-white photography remained prevalent due to its simplicity in development.
Panoramic images were achievable through specialized cameras like the Hasselblad Xpan or the Advanced Photo System (APS) film introduced in the 1990s, offering various formats and computerized options. However, the popularity of APS waned, eventually leading to its discontinuation.
2. Digital photos
With the emergence of microcomputers and digital photography, digital prints from stored graphic formats like JPEG, TIFF, and RAW became commonplace, produced by inkjet, dye-sublimation, laser, or thermal printers. These prints are sometimes called “Giclée” when made with inkjet printers.
The internet has revolutionized the storage and sharing of photos since the first photograph was published online by Tim Berners-Lee in 1992. Today, platforms like Flickr, PhotoBucket, and 500px are used as hubs for millions to share their photographic creations.
Interestingly, the first known “selfie” or self-portrait dates back to 1839, taken by Robert Cornelious. Since then, selfies have become ubiquitous, particularly among young people, reshaping social media and cultural dynamics, where a single selfie from a favorite celebrity can garner millions of likes and immense attention.
How to preserve photos?
Preservation of photographs involves meticulous attention to storage and handling techniques. The most common ways of preserving and storing photos are:
- Buffered paper folders
- Polyester enclosures
Buffered paper folders
To safeguard each photo, placing it in an individual folder made from buffered or acid-free paper is recommended. Buffered paper folders are particularly advantageous, especially if the photograph was previously mounted on low-quality materials or with adhesives that accelerate acid formation.
Store photos measuring 8×10 inches or smaller vertically along the longer edge within buffered paper folders placed in archival boxes, with each folder labeled for identification. The rigid structure of the folder prevents the photo from slumping or creasing, provided the box is neither tightly packed nor underfilled.
Larger or brittle photos should be stacked flat within archival boxes alongside materials of similar size.
Polyester enclosures
Polyester enclosures are highly recommended for additional protection due to their stability and resistance to harmful chemical reactions. Polyester sleeves and encapsulation effectively shield photographs from humidity and environmental pollutants, slowing the deterioration.
However, polyester enclosures can also trap harmful elements, especially in environments prone to humidity and temperature fluctuations, potentially causing damage like sticking. Photographs enclosed in polyester cannot be stored vertically in boxes due to the risk of bending or folding. Instead, they should be stacked horizontally within boxes or bound in three-ring binders, although binders expose photos to light and may lead to uneven support and bending.
Polyester’s smooth surface, designed to facilitate photo insertion, can generate static electricity, attracting dust and lint particles that may scratch the photograph. Moreover, slip agents in the plastic can degrade over time, leaving an oily film on the photo surface, further attracting debris.
Proper handling is crucial to minimize damage; photos should be viewed lying flat on a table, avoiding bending or lifting by corners. Gloves may be used when handling photos directly to prevent oil or dirt transfer, though unnecessary handling should be avoided by keeping photos in their folders whenever possible.
Photos and creating memories
“The best thing about a picture is that it never changes, even when the people in it do.” – Andy Warhol
There is nothing more precious than a moment in time forever cherished and admired. The only way to achieve that is through photos.
