Rhymes of History
The Camera
Man has always been fascinated with his image. Early man was able to view his reflection in water. Over the years he learned how to capture and save the image.
"Photography" is derived from the Greek words photos ("light") and graphein ("to draw") The word was first used by the scientist Sir John F.W. Herschel in 1839. It is a method of recording images by the action of light, or related radiation, on a sensitive material (Bellis, M., n.d.).
Alhazen (Ibn Al-Haytham), a great authority on optics in the Middle Ages who lived around 1000AD, invented the first pinhole camera, (also called the Camera Obscura} and was able to explain why the images were upside down. The first casual reference to the optic laws that made pinhole cameras possible, was observed and noted by Aristotle around 330 BC, who questioned why the sun could make a circular image when it shined through a square hole (Bellis, M., n.d.).
The camera has evolved over the years from early experiments to the digital cameras of today. What does the new technology rekindle? It rekindles man’s desire to record history in pictures.
Reference
Bellis, M. (n.d.). History of photography: Advancement of the camera. Retrieved from http://inventors.about.com/od/pstartinventions/a/stilphotography_3.htm
Cameras: http://inventors.about.com/od/weirdmuseums/ig/Illustrated-History-Photograph/Camera-Obscura.htm
Cameras: http://inventors.about.com/od/weirdmuseums/ig/Illustrated-History-Photograph/Camera-Obscura.htm
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ReplyDeleteSonja,
ReplyDeleteThe convergence of smart phone cameras and software add another node to the Rhyme of History. In the past the camera was viewed as a passive recorder of events or places. Artists like Edward Steichen extended it to art. The new software and digital photographs return the technology to art. A user is free to color, shape, and influence what is captured and shown.
Bill
Sonja,
ReplyDeleteThe camera has evolved from pinhole to the smartphone. I recently learned that Kodak is no longer producing cameras. Kodak was our first pioneer. You may be to young for this but remember the flash cubes. I was cleaning my mother's house and found a clue full of life and waiting for the next snap shot.
Sonja,
ReplyDeleteVery interesting Rhyme of History. I do remembe the flash cubes. LOL It really makes me wonder what if the first inventors were able to see what we have now? How would they react to our video making capabilities?