A history of photography

26th November 2009

Tonight, David took us along on a walk through the origins of the camera from its beginnings within an obscure dark room to the Sony Mavica, the first commercial electronic camera. He also introduced us to several notable photographers and historical characters who had played a pivotal role in the evolution of photography ; from William Henry Fox Talbot, who invented the negative print process to Harold Edgerton, the creator of the modern electronic flash.

We also each have to nominate a personality to study and present to the class next year. My gut instinct was to go for one of the small handful of photographers that I know but on further thought, it occured to me that it might be far more interesting to read up on someone that I knew absolutely nothing about. Although still undecided, I am intrigued by one Julia Margaret Cameron, who was arguably the first female celebrity photographer. Furthermore, she was effectively a local, having lived on the Isle of Wight for a large part of her life. This would also give me a good excuse, not that I ever needed one, to make another trip across the water to visit Dimbola Lodge, which used to be her home but is now a museum housing her works.

David finished off by telling us that in 2008, more photographs were taken in that one year than in all the preceding years since the invention of the camera. He did not quote any references but somehow, I believed him.


Angkor, Cambodia. December 2008.