World Photography Day - What and when is it?
Ok ok, I’ll be completely honest…I didn’t have a clue what “World Photography Day” was or when it was, or any other details until I looked it up 😅
World Photography Day is an annual event celebrated on August 19th to honor and appreciate the art, science, and history of photography. The day commemorates the invention of the daguerreotype, which is an early photographic process developed by Louis Daguerre and Joseph Nicéphore Niépce in 1837. On August 19, 1839, the French government announced the invention as a gift “Free to the World,” which marked the beginning of modern photography.
The purpose of World Photography Day is to inspire photographers and photography enthusiasts worldwide to share their passion for the art form and capture moments that showcase the beauty, diversity, and uniqueness of our world. It’s a day for celebrating the power of photography in preserving memories, telling stories, documenting history, and conveying emotions and messages.
Daguerreotype was a breakthrough at the time, on the other hand the whole process of taking a photo was a bit of a torture! The subject being photographed, depending on the brightness/sunlight, had to sit in from of the camera sometimes a couple of seconds or, if the environment was poorly lit, several minutes, ouch!
The process of creating a daguerreotype was a complex and intricate one. It involved the polishing and silver-plating of a copper sheet to create a mirror-like surface. The plate was then sensitized in a closed box with iodine vapor, which formed light-sensitive silver iodide on its surface. The prepared plate was then exposed in a camera obscura, capturing the image. After exposure, the plate was developed over heated mercury until the latent image appeared. It was then fixed with a solution of common salt and toned with gold chloride to enhance its appearance.
Photographers often use this day to exhibit their work, host photography-related events, organize photo walks, conduct workshops, and share their knowledge and experiences with others. With the widespread use of social media, many people also participate in online photography challenges and showcase their images using dedicated hashtags like #WorldPhotographyDay.
People are taking and sharing photos using the tag #worldphotography day on social media.
Now that you know when and what World Photography Day is, grab your camera and go out to take some cool photos, the 19th of August of this and every year will be waiting for your creations!
