Photography, a transformative medium that has reshaped our perception of history and ourselves, emerged from groundbreaking innovations in the early 19th century. Since its inception, photography has continuously evolved, becoming an indispensable tool for documentation, art, and communication. To truly appreciate the profound impact of photography, it’s essential to journey back to its origins and explore the remarkable “first photos” that marked its incredible two-century-long history.
These photographic milestones represent not only the earliest captures of specific subjects but also the dawn of new possibilities in visual representation. Let’s delve into 32 photographic “firsts” that highlight the ingenuity and perseverance of photography pioneers.
#1. The First Photograph Ever
Rooftop view from Nicéphore Niépce's estate, captured in the world's first photograph
The title of “world’s first photograph” belongs to an image created in 1826 by French inventor Joseph Nicéphore Niépce. Using a camera obscura and a process he termed “heliography,” Niépce captured a view from his window at Le Gras, his estate in the Burgundy region of France. This pioneering image, often referred to as “View from the Window at Le Gras,” was made on a polished pewter plate coated with Bitumen of Judea, a light-sensitive asphalt. The bitumen hardened in proportion to light exposure, and after a lengthy exposure time of several hours, Niépce washed away the unhardened bitumen, leaving a permanent, albeit rudimentary, image. This marked the birth of photography as we know it and answered the fundamental question: When Were First Photos Taken?, placing it firmly in the 1820s.
#2. The First Color Photograph
First durable color photograph of a tartan ribbon, achieved through a three-color process
While early photography was monochromatic, the quest for color began soon after. The “first color photograph” is attributed to mathematical physicist James Clerk Maxwell. In 1861, Maxwell demonstrated a color photography system at a lecture at the Royal Institution in London. The image, depicting a tartan ribbon, was created using a three-color process. Photographs were taken through red, green, and blue filters, and then projected using three magic lanterns equipped with corresponding filters. Thomas Sutton, the inventor of the SLR camera, operated the camera for Maxwell’s experiment. Although debated for its true color fidelity by modern standards, Maxwell’s tartan ribbon photograph is historically recognized as the first durable demonstration of color photography principles, a significant leap from the black and white images of the early photographic era.
#3. The First Photograph of a Person Born Earliest
Portrait of Hannah Stilley Gorby, the earliest-born person ever photographed, born in 1746
Hannah Stilley Gorby, born in 1746, holds the distinction of being the “first person born earliest ever photographed.” Her life spanned a period before the American Revolution and extended well into the age of photography. Born a decade before Mozart and over two decades before Napoleon Bonaparte, Gorby lived to the remarkable age of 94. In 1840, decades after the invention of photography, she posed for a portrait, becoming a tangible link to the 18th century captured through the lens of 19th-century technology. Her photograph serves as a poignant reminder of how photography could bridge generations and connect us to figures from distant past eras.
#4. The First Digital Photograph
Russell Kirsch's son in the first digital photograph, a groundbreaking 176×176 pixel image from 1957
Long before digital cameras became ubiquitous, the “first digital photograph” was created in 1957. This pioneering digital image predates Kodak engineer’s invention of the digital camera by almost two decades. The photograph is a digital scan of an image initially captured on film by Russell Kirsch at the U.S. National Bureau of Standards. It depicts Kirsch’s son, Walden Kirsch, and had a resolution of just 176×176 pixels. Despite its low resolution by today’s standards, this square image marked a monumental step towards digital imaging, foreshadowing the digital revolution that would transform photography.
#5. The First Photograph of a Human
Boulevard du Temple photograph, featuring the first accidental capture of a human being, in 1838
The “first photograph of a human” emerged serendipitously in a cityscape taken by Louis Daguerre in 1838. Daguerre, a contemporary of Niépce and a key figure in early photography, captured the Boulevard du Temple in Paris. The long exposure time, approximately seven minutes, blurred moving objects, including most pedestrians. However, in the lower-left corner of the image, a man standing still to have his shoes shined was captured sharply. This accidental inclusion of a human figure in a cityscape photograph is recognized as the first unintentional, yet documented, photograph of a person, revealing the early limitations and unexpected discoveries of early photographic techniques.
#6. The First Portrait Photograph
Robert Cornelius self-portrait, the world's first portrait photograph taken in Philadelphia, 1839
Before the age of selfies, Robert Cornelius, an American pioneer in photography, created the “first portrait photograph” in 1839. Working behind his family’s lamp and chandelier business in Philadelphia, Cornelius positioned a camera, removed the lens cap, and posed for over a minute. He then replaced the lens cap, capturing his own likeness. This self-portrait is not only the first known portrait photograph but also one of the earliest examples of a “selfie,” predating the modern selfie phenomenon by over 170 years. Cornelius’s pioneering portrait marked the beginning of portrait photography, a genre that would become immensely popular and significant.
#7. The First Hoax Photograph
Hippolyte Bayard's self-portrait as a drowned man, the first known photographic hoax from 1840
Photography’s ability to depict reality was challenged early on with the “first hoax photograph,” created in 1840 by Hippolyte Bayard. Bayard, another French photography pioneer, felt slighted when Louis Daguerre received greater recognition for his photographic process. In protest, Bayard created a self-portrait posing as a drowned man. On the back of the framed photograph, he wrote a statement declaring himself deceased and lamenting the lack of recognition for his photographic contributions. This staged photograph, a deliberate fabrication, is considered the first known example of photographic manipulation and a commentary on the politics and recognition within the nascent field of photography.
#8. The First Aerial Photograph
Boston as the Eagle and the Wild Goose See It, the oldest surviving aerial photograph from 1860
Long before drones and airplanes, the “first aerial photograph” was captured from a hot air balloon in 1860. Photographer James Wallace Black, along with balloonist Samuel King, ascended over Boston to capture a bird’s-eye view of the city. From an altitude of 2,000 feet, Black photographed Boston, titling the image “Boston, as the Eagle and the Wild Goose See It.” This pioneering aerial photograph provided a novel perspective of urban landscapes and demonstrated the potential of photography to capture views previously inaccessible, paving the way for aerial photography and its applications in mapping, surveying, and reconnaissance.
#9. The First Photograph of the Sun
Earliest known photograph of the sun, revealing sunspots, taken in 1845 by Fizeau and Foucault
Capturing celestial bodies photographically was an early ambition, and the “first sun photograph” was achieved on April 2, 1845. French physicists Louis Fizeau and Léon Foucault successfully photographed the sun using the daguerreotype process. The exposure lasted only 1/60th of a second, and the resulting image, though rudimentary, clearly shows sunspots. This photograph marked the beginning of solar photography and opened avenues for studying the sun’s surface and phenomena, contributing to early astronomical research and demonstrating photography’s reach beyond terrestrial subjects.
#10. The First Space Photograph
Earth from space, the first photograph taken from space by a V-2 rocket in 1946
The quest to photograph Earth from beyond its atmosphere culminated in the “first space photograph” on October 24, 1946. Taken by a 35mm motion picture camera mounted on a V-2 #13 rocket launched from White Sands Missile Range, New Mexico, this black-and-white image shows Earth from an altitude of 65 miles. The camera captured frames every 1.5 seconds during the rocket’s ascent. This photograph offered humanity its first glimpse of Earth from space, revolutionizing our understanding of our planet’s place in the cosmos and ushering in the era of space-based observation.
#11. The First News Photograph
Arrest in France, believed to be the first photograph taken for news purposes, circa 1847
Photography’s potential for news reporting was recognized early, resulting in the “first news photograph” around 1847. This daguerreotype depicts a man being arrested in France. While the photographer’s name remains unknown, the image is believed to be the earliest photograph intentionally taken to document a news event. It was reportedly published in Journées illustrées de la révolution de 1848, a historical account of the 1848 Revolution. This photograph marked the beginning of photojournalism, demonstrating photography’s power to capture and disseminate current events visually, though initially through engravings based on photographs.
#12. The First Newspaper Photo
Barricades on rue Saint-Maur, the first photograph printed in a newspaper, in 1848
The “first newspaper photo” to illustrate a news story appeared on June 25, 1848. Titled ‘Barricades on rue Saint-Maur’ (1848), this daguerreotype captured barricades erected during the June Days uprisings in Paris. The image was published as an engraving in the French weekly newspaper L’Illustration in the week of July 1, 1848. While not a direct photographic reproduction in print due to printing technology limitations at the time, this engraving based on a photograph represented a significant step towards integrating photography into newspapers, marking the beginning of visual news reporting in print media.
#13. The First President Photograph
President John Quincy Adams portrait, the first photograph of a US President, taken in 1843
US President John Quincy Adams, the sixth president, holds the distinction of being the “first president photograph” subject. This daguerreotype portrait was taken in 1843, years after Adams left office in 1829. The first sitting president to be photographed was James K. Polk, the 11th president, in 1849. These early presidential photographs document a pivotal period in American history and demonstrate the growing importance of photography in documenting public figures and political leadership.
#14. The First Lightning Photograph
Earliest known photograph of lightning, captured in 1882, revealing branched structure
Capturing transient natural phenomena like lightning was a photographic challenge overcome in 1882 with the “first lightning photograph.” Photographer William Jennings successfully photographed lightning, revealing its complex, branching structure, which was previously not fully understood. Jennings’s photograph contributed to a more accurate scientific understanding of lightning and showcased photography’s ability to capture and study fleeting natural events, expanding its role in scientific observation and documentation.
#15. The First Fatal Airplane Crash Photograph
Fatal plane crash of Thomas Selfridge in 1908, the first photograph of a deadly aviation accident
The tragic “first fatal airplane crash photograph” dates back to 1908. This somber image documents the crash that resulted in the death of aviator Thomas Selfridge. The experimental aircraft, designed by the Aerial Experimental Association, was also carrying Orville Wright, who survived. This photograph serves as a stark reminder of the early risks and experimental nature of aviation and represents the beginning of disaster photography, capturing the consequences of technological advancements and human endeavors.
#16. The First Moon Photograph
First photograph of the moon, a daguerreotype taken by John W. Draper in 1840
The “first moon photograph” was captured by John W. Draper on March 26, 1840. Draper, a scientist and photography enthusiast, took a daguerreotype of the moon from his rooftop observatory at New York University. This early lunar photograph, despite its imperfections and subsequent damage, marked the beginning of astrophotography, extending photography’s reach to celestial objects and paving the way for detailed lunar and planetary imaging.
#17. The First Colored Landscape Photograph
Landscape of Southern France, the first color landscape photograph taken in 1877
The “first colored landscape photograph” showcasing the world in color was created in 1877 by Louis Arthur Ducos du Hauron, a pioneer in color photography. Titled “Landscape of Southern France,” the photograph depicts a scene in southern France. Du Hauron’s innovative color photography process made this vibrant landscape possible, demonstrating the advancements in color technology and expanding photography’s ability to capture the natural world in its full spectrum of colors.
#18. The First Photograph of Earth from the Moon
The “first photograph of Earth from the Moon” was a momentous achievement in space exploration and photography. On August 23, 1966, the Lunar Orbiter spacecraft, orbiting the Moon, captured Earth rising above the lunar horizon. This iconic image, received at Robledo De Chervil in Spain, provided a breathtaking perspective of our planet from another celestial body, profoundly impacting humanity’s view of Earth and our place in the universe.
#19. The First Tornado Photograph
Earliest known tornado photograph, captured in Kansas in 1884 by A.A. Adams
Nature’s power and unpredictability were captured in the “first tornado photograph” in 1884. Amateur photographer A.A. Adams, a fruit farmer in Anderson County, Kansas, photographed a tornado approximately 14 miles away using his box camera. This photograph is the earliest known image of a tornado, documenting this powerful weather phenomenon and showcasing early storm photography.
#20. The First Photograph from Mars
The “first photograph from Mars” was a landmark achievement in space exploration and planetary photography. On July 20, 1976, shortly after landing on Mars, the Viking 1 lander transmitted its first image of the Martian surface back to Earth. This black and white image provided humanity’s first close-up view of the red planet’s landscape, fulfilling NASA’s mission to obtain high-resolution images for studying Martian geology and surface features, marking a new era of interplanetary visual exploration.
#21. The First 3D American President Portrait Photograph
3D portrait of President Barack Obama, created using advanced photographic and 3D scanning techniques
Technological advancements in photography and 3D imaging led to the “first 3D American President Portrait Photograph” of President Barack Obama. A collaboration between the Smithsonian and the USC Institute for Creative Technologies utilized a custom-built array of 50 LED lights, eight sports cameras, and six wide-angle cameras to capture the data for this portrait. The resulting data was used to create a 3D printed bust of President Obama, showcasing the convergence of photography and 3D technology to create detailed and interactive representations.
#22. The First Photograph of a Black Hole
First ever photograph of a black hole, captured by the Event Horizon Telescope in 2019
A monumental achievement in astrophysics and imaging, the “first photograph of a black hole” was unveiled in April 2019. After years of international collaboration involving over 200 astronomers, the Event Horizon Telescope (EHT), a network of powerful telescopes around the globe, captured this image of the supermassive black hole at the center of galaxy Messier 87. The petabytes of data collected were processed using supercomputers to create this groundbreaking image, confirming Einstein’s theory of general relativity in extreme conditions and providing visual evidence of these enigmatic cosmic objects.
#23. The First Photo of the Far Side of the Moon
First photo from the far side of the moon, captured by China's Chang’e-4 probe in 2019
China achieved a historic first with the “first photo of the far side of the Moon” in January 2019. The Chang’e-4 probe became the first spacecraft to soft-land on the far side of the Moon, a region perpetually facing away from Earth. Shortly after landing, the probe transmitted this photograph, providing humanity’s first glimpse of the lunar far side directly from its surface, opening new avenues for lunar exploration and scientific discovery.
#24. The First Photo of New York City
Oldest surviving photograph of New York City, a daguerreotype from 1848
The “first photo of New York City” that survives to this day is a daguerreotype created in 1848. This historical image, offering a glimpse into mid-19th century New York, was sold at a Sotheby’s auction in 2009 for $62,500. It represents a valuable visual record of early urban development in America and the preservation of historical moments through early photographic techniques.
#25. The First Photo of Quantum Entanglement
First photograph of quantum entanglement, visualizing this quantum phenomenon in 2019
In 2019, scientists achieved a breakthrough by capturing the “first photo of quantum entanglement.” This image visualizes the phenomenon of quantum entanglement, where two particles become linked, sharing the same quantum state even when separated by vast distances. The photograph was created by shooting a crystal with a laser to generate quantum-linked photons. This visual representation of a complex quantum phenomenon is a significant advancement in understanding and visualizing the intricacies of quantum mechanics.
#26. The First Camera Phone Photo
First camera phone photo, taken by Philippe Kahn of his daughter in 1997
The ubiquitous camera phone era began with the “first camera phone photo” taken on June 11, 1997. Entrepreneur Philippe Kahn ingeniously combined a digital camera, a cell phone, and a laptop in a maternity ward as his daughter was born. He used this makeshift “camera phone” to instantly share photos of his newborn daughter with over 2,000 people worldwide. This marked the dawn of mobile photography and instant image sharing, revolutionizing personal communication and visual documentation in the digital age.
#27. The First Photo Shot Inside the Sun’s Corona
First photo from within the Sun's corona, captured by NASA's Parker Solar Probe in 2018
Pushing the boundaries of space exploration, NASA’s Parker Solar Probe captured the “first photo shot inside the Sun’s corona” in November 2018. Traveling through the Sun’s atmosphere at a distance of 16.9 million miles from the Sun’s surface, the probe captured this image revealing coronal streamers, solar material ejected from the Sun. This unprecedented photograph from within the corona provides valuable insights into solar physics and the Sun’s dynamic atmosphere, furthering our understanding of our star.
#28. The First Cape Canaveral Launch Photograph
First photograph of a Cape Canaveral rocket launch, showing photographers documenting the Bumper 2 launch in 1950
Documenting space exploration from Earth, the “first Cape Canaveral launch photograph” was taken in July 1950. NASA photographers captured the launch of the ‘Bumper 2’ rocket, a two-stage rocket, at Cape Canaveral. The photograph also depicts other photographers present to document the event, highlighting the early visual record-keeping of space launches and the public fascination with rocketry and space exploration.
#29. The First Portrait of a Woman
Portrait of Dorothy Catherine Draper, believed to be the first portrait photograph of a woman, circa 1839-1840
Dorothy Catherine Draper holds a significant place in photographic history as the subject of the “first portrait of a woman.” In 1839 or 1840, she posed for a daguerreotype portrait taken by her brother, Dr. John W. Draper, at his New York University studio. This photograph is believed to be the first portrait made in the United States and the earliest surviving photograph of a woman, contributing to the early history of portraiture and documenting female subjects in the nascent photographic medium.
#30. The First Photo of a Solar Eclipse
First properly exposed photograph of a solar eclipse, captured by Johann Julius Berkowski in 1851
Capturing solar eclipses photographically presented unique challenges, overcome with the “first photo of a solar eclipse” taken on July 28, 1851. Photographer Johann Julius Berkowski captured a properly exposed daguerreotype of a solar eclipse using an 84-second exposure and a small refractor at the Royal Observatory in Königsberg, Prussia. This image marked a significant achievement in astronomical photography, successfully capturing the dramatic phenomenon of a solar eclipse and paving the way for further eclipse photography and scientific study.
#31. The First Photo of a Tornado (Revisited)
Earliest known photograph of a tornado (again), captured by A.A. Adams in Kansas, 1884
Reiterating the significance of early storm photography, the “first photo of a tornado” (as previously mentioned but here with another image) was captured near Central City, Kansas, on April 23, 1884. A.A. Adams, the amateur photographer and fruit farmer, documented this powerful natural event, providing a visual record of a tornado and contributing to early meteorological documentation through photography.
#32. The First Photoshopped Photo
Jennifer in Paradise, the first "photoshopped" image, a scanned vacation photo from 1988
The digital manipulation of images began with the “first photoshopped photo” in August 1988. John Knoll, later a co-creator of Photoshop, scanned a 4×6 vacation photo of his girlfriend Jennifer in Bora Bora. Titled “Jennifer in Paradise,” this image became the first image manipulated using Photoshop, initially used to demonstrate the program’s capabilities. It became a sample image bundled with early versions of Photoshop, marking the beginning of digital image editing and manipulation, transforming photography from a purely documentary medium to one capable of digital artistry and alteration.
Conclusion:
The journey through these 32 “first photos” reveals not only the chronological progression of photographic technology but also the relentless curiosity and ingenuity of the pioneers who shaped this transformative medium. From Niépce’s rudimentary rooftop view to the breathtaking images from space and the manipulation capabilities of Photoshop, photography has continually expanded its horizons. Understanding when were first photos taken and the context surrounding these groundbreaking images provides a profound appreciation for the rich history and enduring impact of photography on our world. These early photographs serve as a testament to human innovation and the enduring power of visual representation to capture, document, and transform our understanding of ourselves and the universe around us.
