From capturing a single moment in time to recording a familys history, photography has been an important part of our lives for centuries.
But when did photography become commonplace? To answer this question, we must take a look back in history.
In this article, we will explore the invention of the Kodak camera, the introduction of celluloid film, the rise of the 35mm camera, the popularity of photography in the 20th century, the digital camera revolution, the impact of digital cameras, and the impact of social media on photography.
So, lets go back in time to explore the story of photography and when it became common.
Table of Contents
Short Answer
Photography became common in the mid-1800s, when the technology of photography was developed and popularized.
By the late 1800s, photography had become much more accessible to the public and began to be used for a variety of purposes, such as newspaper journalism, portraiture, and landscape photography.
Over the course of the twentieth century, photography became even more popular, with the invention of digital cameras and advances in digital photo-editing technology.
The Invention of the Kodak Camera
The invention of the Kodak camera by George Eastman in 1888 was a major turning point in the history of photography.
The camera was the first to be designed with the amateur photographer in mind, and was a crucial step in making photography accessible to the masses.
The camera was the first to use celluloid film, a lightweight and durable material which allowed photographers to take multiple photographs without reloading.
The development of the Kodak camera made photography easier and more affordable than ever before, and allowed amateur photographers to capture moments with ease.
This was an incredibly important development, as it made photography more accessible to the general public and allowed anyone to become a photographer.
With the introduction of the Kodak camera, photography was no longer the sole domain of professional photographers.
Instead, it became a commonplace activity for people of all backgrounds and ages.
The Introduction of Celluloid Film
The introduction of celluloid film in 1889 was an important milestone in the history of photography.
Developed by George Eastman and his company Kodak, the new film allowed for faster and more efficient image capture and processing.
This revolutionized the field of photography, as it allowed photographers to capture a wider range of scenes and subjects without the need for large and expensive equipment.
The new film also allowed for the development of the first consumer-grade cameras, such as the Kodak Brownie camera, which made photography much more accessible to the general public.
This development allowed for the first widespread use of photography, as people could now take and share images with ease.
The Rise of the 35mm Camera
The 35mm camera was a revolutionary development in the history of photography.
It was first introduced in the early 1920s, and it quickly changed the way people took pictures.
The 35mm camera was smaller and lighter than previous cameras, making it much easier to carry around and take pictures on the go.
Additionally, it used smaller and more reliable film than traditional cameras, allowing photographers to take more pictures without having to worry about wasting expensive film.
The 35mm camera also had other advantages over traditional cameras.
It allowed photographers to take pictures with greater detail and clarity, as well as to capture motion more effectively.
This made it much easier to create dynamic and interesting photographs.
Additionally, the 35mm camera was the first camera to feature the now-standard 35mm film format, which is still used by most photographers today.
The introduction of the 35mm camera revolutionized the way people took photographs.
It made photography more affordable and accessible to a wider range of people, and it also allowed for greater artistic expression.
Additionally, the 35mm camera was the first camera to allow for the use of color film, further expanding the range of photographic possibilities.
As a result, photography quickly became a popular form of art and expression, and by the 1930s it had become commonplace.
The Popularity of Photography in the 20th Century
The 20th century saw a massive surge in photographys popularity and accessibility.
With the invention of the Kodak camera in 1888 and the introduction of celluloid film in 1889, photography became much easier and cheaper to produce, which increased its appeal to the general public.
By the 1920s, advances in technology such as the 35mm camera had made photography commonplace.
The introduction of the 35mm camera was a watershed moment for photography, as it allowed photographers to capture images quickly and easily, without the need for bulky equipment.
This increased the appeal of photography to many, and it soon became a widely used form of art and expression.
The 1950s and 60s saw a further surge in photographys popularity as it was adopted by the media and advertising industries.
Photographers were now able to capture images of celebrities, politicians, and everyday life, creating a more accessible and intimate form of visual communication.
The rise of digital cameras in the late 1990s further increased photographys popularity, as it allowed photographers to take and edit images more quickly and easily than ever before.
Today, photography is more popular than ever, with digital cameras and smartphones making it easier than ever to take and share photos.
The Digital Camera Revolution
The late 1990s saw the emergence of digital cameras, and with it a revolution in photography.
Digital photography was much easier to use than film cameras, as images could be instantly viewed on a computer screen, with no need for processing.
Digital cameras also allowed photographers to take multiple shots, experiment with different settings, and store images on memory cards, making them much more convenient than traditional film cameras.
The rise of the digital camera also saw a shift in how photography was used.
Instead of being a hobby accessible only to the elite, digital photography opened up the art form to a much wider audience, allowing more people to capture and share their memories.
Social media platforms such as Facebook and Instagram made it easier than ever to share photos with friends and family, driving the popularity of digital photography further.
The convenience of digital cameras has made them the preferred choice for many photographers, and the industry has seen a rapid development in technology since its inception in the late 1990s.
Improvements in sensor technology, image processing algorithms, and the introduction of high-resolution cameras have all helped to make digital photography even easier, faster, and more reliable.
As digital photography becomes more accessible, more and more people are taking up the art form.
Today, its estimated that over 1.
2 billion people around the world own a digital camera, and the industry is only growing.
With the continued development of technology, who knows what new possibilities digital photography holds in the future?.
The Impact of Digital Cameras
The introduction of digital cameras in the late 1990s revolutionised the world of photography, making it easier and more accessible than ever before.
Digital cameras allowed photographers to instantly review and edit their images, paving the way for a whole new world of creativity.
With digital cameras, photographers were no longer limited to a single shot or to a single roll of film.
They could now take as many images as they wanted, without worrying about the cost or wasting any film.
Furthermore, digital cameras allowed users to instantly share their images online or on social media, making photography a more interactive and social experience.
The Impact of Social Media on Photography
In the 21st century, the rise of social media has dramatically changed the landscape of photography.
Sharing photos online has become so commonplace that it can be easy to forget that photography wasnt always so easy to access.
In fact, the invention of digital cameras in the late 1990s and the development of social media platforms in the early 2000s were key milestones in the evolution of photography as a popular form of art and expression.
Nowadays, photography is incredibly accessible and can be used to capture and share moments with friends and family all over the world.
Additionally, social media has provided a platform for photographers to showcase their work to a much larger audience.
Many photographers now use social media to promote their work and build a portfolio, allowing them to reach a much larger audience than ever before.
Social media has also made it easier for photographers to find inspiration and collaborate with other photographers.
With a few clicks, photographers can now instantly connect with others in their field, providing them with an invaluable platform for networking and learning about the latest trends and techniques in photography.
Overall, its clear that the rise of social media has had a profound effect on the photography industry.
By making photography more accessible and providing an easy platform for sharing, social media has allowed photographers to reach a much larger audience, collaborate with other photographers, and find inspiration.
Its safe to say that without the development of social media, photography would not be the popular form of art and expression that it is today.
Final Thoughts
From its invention in the 1800s to its widespread accessibility in the early 20th century, photography has become an integral part of our lives.
The invention of the Kodak camera, the introduction of celluloid film, and the rise of the 35mm camera all played a key role in bringing photography to the masses.
With the advent of digital cameras in the late 90s and the rise of social media, photography has become even more accessible, allowing people to share their images and stories with the world.
The history of photography is a testament to the power of technology and the impact it has had on society.
So take the time to explore the history of photography and appreciate the incredible impact it has had on our lives.