Photography, as we understand it today, might seem like a 19th-century invention, coinciding with the rise of technologies like the telegraph. However, the core principles behind photography stretch back much further, even into prehistory. The concept of capturing and projecting images existed long before modern cameras, with roots in the ancient camera obscura technique. But what exactly is a camera obscura?
Imagine a “dark room”—that’s the literal translation of camera obscura. Essentially, it’s a system for projecting images where light passes through a tiny opening into a darkened space, creating a basic, inverted image. The George Eastman Museum’s video beautifully illustrates how you can transform any room into a camera obscura.
Alt text: Experiment demonstrating how to convert a room into a camera obscura, projecting an outdoor scene upside down onto an interior wall.
The Ancient Origins of Image Projection
Some historians propose that early humans may have utilized camera obscura principles to project images for tracing, possibly using stone tools. As far back as the 4th century BCE, the Chinese philosopher Mozi documented observations of camera obscura effects, describing it as a method to gather light rays.
The Greek philosopher Aristotle expanded upon these ideas in his Problems (Book XV) within the Corpus Aristotelicum. He questioned, “Why is it that an eclipse of the sun, if one looks at it through a sieve or through leaves… the rays are crescent-shaped where they reach the earth?” He pondered the same phenomenon observed when light passes through a rectangular hole, yet appears circular, demonstrating an early understanding of light projection.
Nearly two millennia later, during the Renaissance, Leonardo da Vinci formally detailed the camera obscura in his Codex Atlanticus (circa 1502). He explained, “If the facade of a building…is illuminated by the sun and a small hole is drilled in the wall of a room…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.”
While these thinkers understood the mechanics of camera obscuras and image projection, they lacked the means to permanently capture these images. This brings us to Nicéphore Niépce, a pivotal figure in answering the question, When Were Photos Invented?
The True Invention of Photography: Capturing the Image
When Did Photography Officially Begin?
Photography was truly invented in 1822 by the French inventor Nicéphore Niépce. He pioneered a technique called heliography, which he employed to create what is recognized as the world’s oldest surviving photograph: View from the Window at Le Gras (circa 1826/1827). Heliography was born from the long history of camera obscura theories, finally realizing the dream of permanent image capture.
Alt text: An early photograph titled “View from the Window at Le Gras,” showcasing a grainy, sepia-toned view from a window, considered the first successful photograph.
The First Photograph Explained: Niépce’s Heliography
Camera obscuras provided image projection, but they couldn’t fix or preserve those images. So, revisiting our core question: when was photography invented in a practical sense? The answer lies in 1822, with Nicéphore Niépce’s groundbreaking work. Niépce is rightfully celebrated as the father of photography – and, interestingly, also as the inventor of an early combustion engine, though that’s another story. The following video explores Niépce’s journey to create the first photograph.
Alt text: Portrait of Joseph Nicéphore Niépce, recognized as the inventor of photography, with text overlay asking “When Was the Photograph Invented?”.
Niépce’s initial photographic attempts used silver plates along with bitumen of Judea and lavender oil, resulting in very rudimentary photographs. This process, termed heliography, from the Greek words helios (sun) and graphein (write), literally meant “sun-writing.” It was more akin to a form of etching using sunlight than photography as we know it.
However, around 1826 or 1827, Niépce achieved a significant breakthrough with “View from the Window at Le Gras.” Many scholars believe this image to be the first true photograph ever taken and successfully developed.
Alt text: Close-up view of “View from the Window at Le Gras,” highlighting the detail and pioneering nature of Niépce’s photographic achievement.
Despite this invention, Niépce faced considerable skepticism when he presented his photograph. Doubters questioned its authenticity, artists dismissed it as absurd, and public interest was limited. It took years for photography to gain commercial traction, and sadly, Niépce received minimal recognition for his foundational contribution.
To delve deeper into related inventions, you might be interested in our article on when was the camera invented.
The Evolution Continues: Daguerre and Beyond
The Advent of Practical Photography
In 1829, Niépce entered into a partnership with French artist and inventor Louis Daguerre. After Niépce’s death in 1833, Daguerre continued refining the heliographic method, developing his own, more practical process known as the daguerreotype. Daguerreotypes were notoriously complex to create, but this video from the Getty Museum demonstrates how daguerreotypes can still be made today.
Alt text: Demonstration of the daguerreotype process, showing the intricate steps involved in creating one of the earliest forms of photography.
Daguerreotypes were not only challenging to produce but also hazardous, often involving the use of mercury without proper safety measures. The dangers of mercury exposure contributed to the daguerreotype’s eventual decline, among other factors. Nonetheless, Louis Daguerre’s impact on the invention and popularization of photography is undeniable.
Alt text: Portrait of Louis Daguerre, a key figure in the history of photography, known for popularizing the daguerreotype process.
So, when was photography invented? The most accurate answer points to 1822 with Niépce’s heliography. Some might argue for 1826/27 with his first successful photograph, others for 1833 with Daguerre’s advancements, and some might even trace its origins back millennia earlier with the camera obscura. The history of photography reveals a gradual evolution spanning thousands of years, from simple image projections to the sophisticated silver plate etching techniques that marked its formal invention.
What’s Next?
Exploring the Camera’s Invention
Photography is much more than just its early history. Next, we will continue our exploration by examining the invention of cameras. Cameras and photography are intrinsically linked, so you’ll likely encounter Niépce’s name again. We will also explore other camera designs and developments!
