The evolution of photography, from black and white to color

The daguerreotype, the beginning of the revolution

The history of photography is a story of progress and innovation. The first camera, the daguerreotype, was invented by Louis Daguerre in 1839. It was a complex device that used a silver plate coated with silver iodide, which was then exposed to light. It required a long exposure, which made portraits difficult, as the subject had to remain still for long minutes. Nevertheless, it was a revolution. The daguerreotype was the first method for capturing permanent images.

The first photographic self-portrait

The history of photography is also a story of firsts. In 1839, an American chemist named Robert Cornelius took the very first photographic self-portrait. The image, which shows him with a serious expression, is a historical document. Cornelius had to remove the lens cap, run in front of the camera and sit down, then replace the cap once the exposure was complete. It was a difficult process, but it paved the way for a new artistic genre: the self-portrait.

Roll film, an invention for the general public

Photography was long reserved for professionals and enthusiasts. It was George Eastman, the founder of Kodak, who made photography accessible to everyone. In 1888, he invented roll film, which made photography easier and more affordable. He also created the slogan "You press the button, we do the rest," which democratized photography and paved the way for a new era of consumer photography.

The world in color, a new dimension

Color photography was a revolution. The first color photographs were created in 1861, but the process was complex and expensive. The real revolution came with the Lumière brothers, who created the autochrome in 1907. It was a process that used a glass plate covered with dyed potato starch grains, which allowed for the creation of color images. The autochrome paved the way for color photography and made it possible to capture the world in all its splendor. Technical progress has continued, and photography has become a form of art, a communication tool, and a witness to history.