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Photography: What It Is All About
Did you know that the word photography originates from two latin words? In fact the word photography means "light writing".
Essentially back in the 1800's photographers had discovered that there were chemicals that would change color when exposed to light.
Fast forward to present day and now those colors stay permanently in place and it's the very essence of our social interaction amongst one another.
Capturing the moments of life with a camera is commonplace. There are photos all over our homes and the homes of friends and family.
But you may still be wondering what photography really is?
The literal definition is "The art or process of producing images by the action of light on surfaces sensitized by chemical processes."
Everyday people do not know this nor does it matter to them. When they take a picture they either print it off on their computer or they take it to the lab to be processed. A short while later, for those who dropped off their pics, get a phone call to let them know they can come pick up their pictures.
Now some of you may remember the famous Polaroid camera. It was a hit when it came out and it all started with a little girl asking her dad why camera's didn't make the picture right away (that's another story).
In a Polaroid camera the chemicals needed to create the picture are found within the paper inside the camera. As you know, when the photo is exposed to light the magic happens and a picture forms moments later.
Again, this camera was a hit because of the instant results a photographer could get.
Another style of photography is film. Usually 35mm.
These rolls of film can be found in different rolls which are used in different environments. Photographers would simply load these rolls into their camera and take their pictures.
Of course the clear leader today is the digital camera. This one bears little explanation as it's fairly obvious that it takes and stores pictures on the camera hard drive or storage device.
From all of this different styles of photography have formed. Different photographers have picked up different ways that they enjoy shooting their subjects.
Many call it an art.
And you have seen it all.
There is advertising photography, family photography, wedding photography, aerial photography, portrait photography, and the list goes on.
Nowadays you do not need to be a professional to enjoy taking pictures. With the advent of the digital camera, technology has given the keys to professionalism to even the greenest newbie.
Film development has dropped off a cliff, in my opinion, because only a small group of photographers enjoy the development process and ultimately the end result.
As mentioned, digital photography has swept the planet. The ease of taking pictures, editing them, and retaking them if necessary has lead to an increase in popularity.
And as technology moves forward the price to acquire a digital camera drops. More and more people are able to join the group of photographers who enjoy this method of taking pictures.
When you compare the costs of even a very nice mid-range camera to the cost of developing film, there is no contest.
The days of having expensive copies made are long gone. Now you can simply copy and paste as many copies of a digital picture as you like.
Photography has really progressed quite some distance. Over the years it continues to increase in popularity.
What is most interesting to me is what the future holds for this past-time and profession. How will technology continue to bring the two groups together and help make capturing precious moments all the easier.
We will have to see.