Lesson 3: Introduction to Photography
LESSON 3: INTRODUCTION TO PHOTOGRAPHY Objectives: 1. Analyze the origin of photography 2. Evaluate the significance of the invention of Photography 3. Develop the knowledge to differentiate the different types of photography Pre-assessment Multiple Choice: Encircle the letter of the correct answer. 1.________ literally means ‘drawing with light’ a. Heliography b. Daguerreotype c. Photography 2. The word Photography was derived from the Greek photo, meaning light and ______, meaning to draw. a. graph b. graphe c. grap 3. Camera obscura literally translates to “____ ____”. a. black room b. dark room c. tiny room 4. What is the process of recording an image – a photograph – on light sensitive film or, in the case of digital photography, via a digital electronic or magnetic memory? a. Photography b. Camera obscura c. Photograph 5. Who is Nicéphore Niépce is regarded as the father of? a. Philosophy b. Photography c. Engineering 6. Who invented the Heliography? a. John Nicéphore Niépce b. Joseph Nicéphore Niépce c. Josh Nicéphore Niépce 7. Why were daguerreotype considered dangerous? a. because it uses chemicals that can explode b. because it can give the user cancer c. because of the use of mercury
8. What was the first photograph taken and developed? a. View from the Window at Le Gras b. View from the Window at Foie Gras c. View from the Window at Le Foie Gras 9. Who invented the Daguerreotype process? a. Louis Daguerre b. Louie Daguerre c. Loise Daguerre 10. _________is one of the documentary types of photography, and the goal of a photojournalist is to document the events as they unfold. a. Scientific Photography b. Lifestyle Photography c. Photojournalism Lesson Discussion What is Photography? The word Photography literally means ‘drawing with light’, which derives from the Greek photo, meaning light and graph, meaning to draw. Photography is the process of recording an image – a photograph – on light sensitive film or, in the case of digital photography, via a digital electronic or magnetic memory. History of photographic techniques Photography may have been “formally” invented in the 19th century. But it existed long, long before the days of telegraphs and typewriters. We can trace the philosophy of photographs back to the neolithic period with primitive camera obscura techniques. But what is a camera obscura? Well, here's a hint: camera obscura literally translates to "dark room." In practice, it is an image projection system in which light enters a darkened area by passing through a small aperture, ultimately creating a rudimentary image.
Some historians argue that hominids used camera obscuras to project images to trace with stone tools. In the fourth century BCE, Han Chinese philosopher Mozi wrote about the camera obscura (albeit under a different name), as a tool for collecting rays of light. Greek philosopher Aristotle expanded on Mozi’s ideas in his Corpus Aristotelicum Problems – Book XV, saying “Why is it that an eclipse of the sun, if one looks at it through a sieve or through leaves, such as a plane-tree or other broadleaved tree, or if one joins the fingers of one hand over the fingers of the other, the rays are crescent-shaped where they reach the earth? Is it for the same reason as that when light shines through a rectangular peep-hole, it appears circular in the form of a cone?” Nearly 2000 years after Aristotle’s Problems, Renaissance inventor Leonardo Da Vinci formally outlined the camera obscura in his 1502 Codex Atlanticus. He said, “If the facade of a building, or a place, or a landscape is illuminated by the sun and a small hole is drilled in the wall of a room in a building facing this, which is not directly lighted by the sun, then all objects illuminated by the sun will send their images through this aperture and will appear, upside down, on the wall facing the hole.” But although Mozi, Aristotle, Da Vinci, and others understood how camera obscuras worked, they didn’t know how to capture permanent images. That’s where Nicéphore Niépce comes into the equation. Camera obscuras may have been useful tools for projecting images, but they weren’t capable of capturing images in a permanent sense. So, we’ve arrived back at the question: When was photography invented? Photography as we know it was invented in 1822 by French pioneer Nicéphore Niépce. Niépce is regarded as the father of photography. Niépce’s early lithographs used silver plates in conjunction with bitumen of Judea and lavender oil to create a very primitive type of photograph. This process was called heliographing, derived from the greek helios meaning sun and graphein meaning write. The conjunction implied the process of sun-writing, which was debatably more akin to engraving than photographing.
But Niépce finally reached a breakthrough in 1826/27 with this picture, “View from the Window at Le Gras” – which many scholars suggest was the first photograph ever taken and developed. Niépce’s View from the Window at Le Gras (1826/1827) Very few people believed Niépce when he introduced his photograph to the world. Skeptics suggested forgery, illustrators suggested ludicrousness, and others simply weren’t interested. It took years for photography to offer any commercial appeal, which sadly amounted to the form’s “founder” reaping very little rewards for his efforts. The Advent of Photography In 1829, Niépce formed a business partnership with French artist and inventor Louis Daguerre. In 1833, Niépce died of a stroke — but Daguerre continued to work on adjusting the heliographic method with his own process, aptly called the Daguerreotype process.
Daguerreotype photographs weren’t just difficult to produce, they were dangerous as well. Part of the daguerreotype process called for the use of mercury, which was rarely ever approached with caution. Mercury complications were one reason why daguerreotype photographs eventually went out of style; there were plenty more. But there’s no denying Louis Daguerre had an enormous influence on the invention of photography. So when was photography invented? The most accurate answer is 1822 — some will say 1826, others will say 1833, and the boldest will say thousands of years before the common era. When we study the history of photography, we learn that the medium has been iterating for thousands of years — from carved tracing to camera obscuras to silver plate etching. Types of Photography 1. Wedding Photography The first type of photography job involves weddings and events. Many people go their entire lives and only pay for professional photography once, but nearly everyone hires a photographer for their wedding. As a job, being a professional wedding photographer involves an exciting mix of portraiture and event photography in a wide variety of settings and groups. Wedding photography is pretty intense, with the element of getting the best shot on the first try and not really getting a second chance in some situations. The emphasis is on capturing the moment and documenting natural, candid pictures that the family will treasure for a lifetime. Wedding photographers have to be quick on their feet, moving around during events, and there are substantial sales and customer service components to their jobs. They also have to be adaptable, ready to shoot outdoors on a sunny day and indoors for dimly lit receptions and dances. Couples will expect direction from the photographer for posing shots and settings, so the photographer must be confident and communicate well with the bride and groom. 2. Event Photography In the same vein, event photography is a dynamic and fast-paced way to make a buck with your camera. Whether your beat is corporate events or wild and crazy rock concerts, event photographers work in a variety of settings. Event photography styles often involve a mixture of
photojournalistic documentary work and portraiture. Some organizations use their event photos for publicity purposes, while other use party photos as souvenirs or keepsakes. 3. Portrait Photography Portraiture is one of the most common types of photography that we think of when we consider career options. The kinds of photography that can be included in portraits is astounding. Retail customers seek out portrait photographers for every phase of life: maternity and newborns, school photos, senior photos, and general family photos. Corporate portraits are also commonly needed as employees update their headshots for websites and publicity materials. Furthermore, aspiring and professional models are in constant need of updated portfolios with a catalog of current shots to market themselves for agencies and jobs. Here are stunning family photography portfolio website examples designed for your use. Portrait photography is a great place to start out as a photographer. Building a great portfolio of quality shots can lead to more business. It can often lead to more work for families and weddings as word-of-mouth marketing does its magic. It can also lead to fashion and product photography gigs. 4. Product Photography More specific than working in advertising, product photography is a great specialization. Think about all of the products you have recently shopped for: everything needs to be photographed. The photos are used for online and print catalogs, as well as for labels and packaging. Most product photography is studio based, with careful control of backgrounds, shadows, and lighting. Studio rentals can be fairly expensive so consider building a home photography studio on a budget. Product photography covers a lot of ground. Food photography is a specialized niche, and restaurants need to advertise their meals and create their menus. Jewelry is another favorite type
of product photography since this requires the perfect balance of light and preparation. While some product shoots might involve models, many times you will be working solo in a studio doing still life photographs of small objects. 5. Fine Art Photography Of all of the types of photography, this is the one with no rules. Fine art photographers create art. They display their work in galleries and at art shows, and generally, they sell a finished, framed print product to their customers. Fine art photography can be of any subject at all, but landscape and portrait artists are probably the most common. Fine art images are about capturing emotional responses and communicating with the audience. 6. Fashion Photography Fashion photography is one of the more glamorous and more difficult to enter photography jobs. From cover shots of the top fashion magazines to documenting the latest styles and trends on the runway, fashion photographers work in the design districts of New York, Paris, and Milan. Runway shoots require an element of documentary photography, while posed shoots on location demand one-on-one work with the model. Photography magazines aren't only good for inspiration. They're full of tutorials, industry highlights, new gear insight and much more. Here is our detailed best photography magazine that you should read. Catalog and magazine shoots might also occur on location, from tropical beaches to subway. In this style of glamour photography, the look of the photographs is everything. Lighting must be perfect. This is a job that is also focused on the model, so a majority of the photographers time is spent posing and directing models and scenes to get the look desired from the publication.
Fashion shoots are all about teamwork, and they are done by a group of people. The photographer is just one cog in the wheel. Stylists, wardrobe specialists, makeup artists, art directors, and others make up a team that keeps the shoot on track and make the magic happen. 7. Architectural Photography While many find taking pictures of buildings to be a fun hobby, many specialized photographers make careers out of it. Employed by architectural agencies or working as freelancers, these photographers capture the essence of buildings from inception to completion. Details captured include the exteriors and interiors, and subtle details that make the building's design unique. Architectural photography requires some special techniques and equipment to minimize distortion and perspective problems that become apparent on a building’s many right angles. A subdivision is real estate photography. Realtors always need excellent photographs, especially in today's market where many customers view many properties online before deciding to go see them. High-quality architectural pictures are difficult to get right, and realtors will pay for professional photos especially in the high-end market. 8. Travel Photography Do you love to travel? Would you like to get paid for it? Who doesn’t? Travel photography allows you to do just that while having fun with your camera in dynamic settings. Travel photography blends many different types of photography into one. On one trip you might want to focus on the people and the lifestyles present in a place, while also capturing the landscapes and the natural world in which it’s located. Macro details and wildlife photography might be included too. Be it on the beaches of Bali or the ice fields of Antartica, the job of a travel photographer is to transport their audience to that place without them having to leave home.
9. Advertising or Lifestyle Photography Everywhere we go we are surrounded by photography. Photography is on billboards, street signs, magazine ads, even in our pockets on our smartphones. Captivating photography makes the advertising world tick, and photography has never been more in demand than it is right now. Advertising photography can include a range of subjects, like street photography, lifestyle photography, fashion photography, or product photography. Advertising photographers can work as freelancers, selling images on a project-by-project basis, or they might work directly for major ad agencies. Either way, this is a dynamic field where you may be shooting for a print ads campaign one day and shooting internet ads the next, always with a new subject. 10. Photojournalism Whether it be in war zones, political rallies, natural disasters, or community celebrations, photojournalists cover breaking news. Newspapers, magazines, and online publications are all in need of still photographs to help tell their stories. Photojournalism is one of the documentary types of photography, and the goal of a photojournalist is to document the events as they unfold. While there may be some portraiture, the majority of work is done candidly and as unobtrusively as possible. The photos tell a story of events that are happening all over the world.
11. Pet Photography If your perfect subject is a furry friend, then pet photography might be for you. This is a growing sector and is very similar in working conditions and type of styles to portraiture; only your subjects may require treats when they are good. If you love animals, then there is no better job as a photographer. By establishing connections with local pet daycare facilities and dog show circuits, you can swiftly develop your pet photography business, which encompasses a delightful blend of studio sessions, outdoor shoots, and, for those seeking expert advice, here are some valuable tips for shooting studio portraits. A great way to start out is to volunteer your time to your local pound, taking pictures of the animals and helping them find their forever homes. 12. Sports Photography If you love sports, then being a sports photographer is a great gig. From the sidelines, sports photographers use quick cameras and long lenses to zoom in on the action and capture the winning shots. Photos wind up in publicity materials for teams, in advertising and marketing, and in the news media online and in print. 13. Aerial Photography A burgeoning field of photography born from modern technology is an aerial photographer. Sure, aerial images have been around as long as manned flight and cameras have been. But today, unmanned aerial vehicles, also called drones, are being used for aerial views and different perspective shots by photographers. In the US and most countries, commercial drone pilots must be licensed. The process is relatively simple and usually requires only a written exam. Aerial photography is now used for everything from architectural and real estate photography to weddings and events. The unique perspective given by drones can’t be beaten for uniqueness and beauty.
14. Scientific or Specialty Photography Many fields rely on great photography for publications, training materials, and record keeping. Many scientific and medical research companies employ photographers to document new findings and discoveries. Many other industries rely on photos to conduct surveys and studies. For example, in Florida, aerial wildlife studies are routinely performed to study the numbers of manatees and birds living in remote areas. Many insurance companies rely on photographers to inspect homes and buildings, sending their photographic findings to the company to document damage or condition. These are just a few examples of the specialized fields that use photography regularly. With open eyes and ears, working photographers can find remarkable jobs working with governments and private companies all over the world. 15. Stock Photography If all of these types of photography jobs sounded good to you, you might make a great stock photographer. Stock photographers sell the rights to use their images through catalogs. They can work as a freelancer, but more often than not photographers allow agencies to handle their sales. Stock sales usually don’t pay very much per use, but the goal of a successful stock photographer is to have an extensive catalog of images that sell often. As a result, once the photos are uploaded and being sold, they provide a source of on-going passive income. The advantage of selling stock photos is that you can sell any type of image you want. These images are used by major ad agencies and small websites. Whether you like to shoot sunsets, people, kids, pets, or wildlife, you can probably sell your images as stock. Once the photos are captured, a lot of time is spent cataloging and keywording images to ensure that customers can find them.
Learning Activity 1 Essay Instructions: Using the format below, write an essay discussing the development of Photography and its significance. Introduction (Minimum of 3 sentences) Body (Minimum of 5 sentences) Conclusion (Minimum of 3 sentences)
Learning Activity 2 Essay Instructions: Using the format below, pick three types of photography, explain it and its significance. Introduction (Minimum of 3 sentences) Body First type of photography (Minimum of 5 sentences) Second type of photography (Minimum of 5 sentences) Third type of photography (Minimum of 5 sentences) Conclusion (Minimum of 3 sentences)
Post-assessment Multiple Choice: Encircle the letter of the correct answer. 1.________ literally means ‘drawing with light’ a. Heliography b. Daguerreotype c. Photography 2. The word Photography was derived from the Greek photo, meaning light and ______, meaning to draw. a. graph b. graphe c. grap 3. Camera obscura literally translates to “____ ____”. a. black room b. dark room c. tiny room 4. What is the process of recording an image – a photograph – on light sensitive film or, in the case of digital photography, via a digital electronic or magnetic memory? a. Photography b. Camera obscura c. Photograph 5. Who is Nicéphore Niépce is regarded as the father of? a. Philosophy b. Photography c. Engineering 6. Who invented the Heliography? a. John Nicéphore Niépce b. Joseph Nicéphore Niépce c. Josh Nicéphore Niépce 7. Why were daguerreotype considered dangerous? a. because it uses chemicals that can explode b. because it can give the user cancer c. because of the use of mercury 8. What was the first photograph taken and developed? a. View from the Window at Le Gras b. View from the Window at Foie Gras c. View from the Window at Le Foie Gras 9. Who invented the Daguerreotype process?
a. Louis Daguerre b. Louie Daguerre c. Loise Daguerre 10. _________is one of the documentary types of photography, and the goal of a photojournalist is to document the events as they unfold. a. Scientific Photography b. Lifestyle Photography c. Photojournalism
Self-evaluation / Performance Task Photography Instructions: During your free time, pick 5 types of photography which you can find strictly inside the campus only. Provide a short creative caption for every photo label what kind of photography you think it is. Rubrics Criteria Excellent (5) Good (4) Fair (3) Needs Improvement (2) Creativity The caption presents unique and creative representation and is connected to the photograph. The caption presents creative representation and is connected to the photograph. The caption is connected to the photograph. The caption lacks creativity and originality. Technique and craftsmanship Excellent technique and craftsmanship are evident on the output Good technique and craftsmanship are evident on the output Little effort was put in the output Technique and craftsmanship need improvement. Accuracy All 5 photographs are accurate based on the label 3-4 of the photographs are accurate based on the label Only 1-2 photographs are accurate based on the label No photograph is accurate based on the label Punctuality The output was passed ahead of time The output was passed on time The output was passed a day late The output was passed a few days late
Answer Keys for Pre-assessment and Post-Assessment 1. c 2. a 3. b 4. a 5. b 6. b 7. c 8. a 9. a 10. c
References https://www.studiobinder.com/blog/when-was-photography-invented/#:~:text=Photography%20 was%20invented%20by%20Frenchman,dating%20back%20to%20ancient%20history. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Camera_obscura https://en.museeniepce.com/index.php?/collections/enjeux-de-la-photographie/Nicephore-Niepce https://www.pixpa.com/blog/types-of-photography https://www.aramcoworld.com/Articles/November-2015/Capturing-the-Light-of-the-Nile https://photographylife.com/types-of-photography https://imma.ie/what-is-art/series-3-materials-methodologies/photography/