The Evolution of The Camera

The First Ever Camera - Camera Obscura (900AD)

We as humans have had a fascination with capturing ourselves and the world around us since the dawn of time. Even tens of thousands of years before the invention of the first photographic device, our distant ancestors, neanderthals, were painting images on cave walls with dirt. Times have changed but the same fascination lived on. 

The first ever properly recorded device for capturing images came about in the 9th century in the form of the camera obscura. Although it is unclear who invented the device due to how early it was invented in human history and that it may have been gradually developed by multiple people, Aristotle and a physician named Alhazen appear to be the first who thoroughly analysed and experimented with the camera obscura in their academic work, making them the co-inventors of the worlds first ever photographic device. 

The camera obscura (which translates as dark chamber in Latin) is literally a darkened box, with a small hole in one side which lets in light and projects the image outside the box onto the wall inside. Although this did not permanently capture the image, it allowed artists such as Leonardo Davinci, during the renaissance, to create more accurate drawings. I find it interesting that the camera obscura is an amalgamation of art and science; created by physicists through physics, to be used by artists for art. The camera obscura was a major breakthrough in photography and human history, as it formed the basis of every camera thereafter. 

The Box Brownie Camera (1900)

A Kodak Box Brownie

An example of a photograph taken on a box brownie

The Brownie box camera came about in the early 1900's, was prevalent through to the 60's, and was the first camera to be simplified and compacted down enough to be bought and operated by the general public. 

The box brownie camera was invented by George Eastman, a chemist who believed everyone should have access to photography. So he developed what is called a "dry plate" photographic process, which enabled photos to be stored and developed after they were taken; removing the need for a photographer to cart around a massive dark room, as previously was the custom. This reduced the size of the camera to just a small box, which was convenient for anyone and everyone.

This camera marked a revolution in home photography as it was the first commercial camera and sold in its millions, with both my parents saying it was the first camera in both of their households as children. I think George Eastman's clever invention of the dry late process, rather than the previous wet plate was clever, and makes him one of the inventors of modern photography.  

The Instant Camera (1923 - 

Andy Warhol with his Polaroid camera

Examples of polaroid instant photos

When Samuel Shlafrock invented the instant camera in 1923, it was at the height of innovation. However, as time went on it's practicality went downhill as it was over taken by digital cameras which allowed their users to produce multiple copies of the same image, digitally alter them and give them much more creative freedom with the ability to change aperture, focus and shutter speed. As a result of this growing unpopularity in 2008 Polaroid - after many other instant camera brands before it - went bankrupt and announced that they would ceased to produce their film cameras. However, 2010 saw a massive revival of instant film as many began to see their sentimental potential. Despite being slow and unpractical compared to state of the art digital camera, they had a heart warming ability to capture moments in their purest and most natural form; making for brilliant home snaps of friends and family, ready to be stuck onto bedroom walls, photo albums and photo frames. Companies such as Polaroid were endorsed by celebrities such as Lady Gaga who was elected their new creative director which gave the company a massive publicity boost, they produced new designs and campaigns to revive the brand emerged. Many artists have also seen the potential of film camera as it has a very different appearance to digital photography and interesting effects can be produced by damaging the film rolls (damaging a digital camera may have a more devastating effect). Instant film is now back on the rise with Kodak producing a new range of instant cameras; a good idea for a Christmas gift for any keen photographer. I really like instant film photographs because I think they have a quirky look to them and have a certain look that cannot be achieved by using a digital camera.  

The DSLR Camera (1975)

A Canon 600D DSLR Camera

The DSLR (or Digital single-lens reflex camera) is the most prevalent type of camera used in modern photography in this era. It was first invented in 1975 by a Kodak engineer named Steve Sassoon. The invention of the digital camera allowed for images to be transferred to computers in higher definition without scanning and be easily processed in image editing software such as Adobe Photoshop which followed after the camera's invention a decade and a half later.    

What makes the DSLR so revolutionary was how compact it is. There was no need for instant printing like before, no dark room, no processing or time to develop. It's a simple press of the button and the photo goes straight to an SD card within the camera in milliseconds to be stored permanent where it cannot be damaged like a printed copy can. It also allowed a whole new quality of photo, no one had ever seen photos this high a definition before.  

One of the millions of examples of DSLR photos

The DSLR is mainly produced by Canon, Kodak, Fuji, Nikon and Sony. It allows for much more creative freedom as it has the option to focus and zoom and allowed for creative editing afterwards and made photographs easily broadcast. Without it, modern photography would not be so widely accessible.

The DSLR's price can vary from just a few hundred pounds, to thousands of pounds, as they can range from average quality for a family household camera to high grade professional use by photographers. It can be combined with various lenses such as macro, telephoto and wide angle for more specific types of photography. 

I think the DSLR is one of the best inventions of the modern age as it has brought photography into a new era and has made it available to almost anyone.  

The Smart Phone Camera (2000's)

The Apple iPhone 4 with built in camera

Then came the smart phone with the built in HD camera. And with it: the front facing camera. And with that: Selfie culture. 

The incorporation of high quality cameras into our phones has revolutionized our daily lives. We no longer need to carry around a camera wherever we go, we can fit one in our pockets and carry it around where ever we go, and share any of the photos we take at the click of a button, without having to import, transfer or upload the photos from SD card, to computer to phone. 

Having a built in camera in our phones has also increased our documentation of our daily lives. We take more photos and we can capture more of the little moments in life. It also allows absolutely anyone the ability to be a photographer, as the built in camera eliminates the need to buy a separate camera.  

The built in front facing camera, invented by Apple, has transformed the art of self portraiture. Before the front camera which only came out in 2008 on the iPhone 3, just 7 years ago, getting a picture of yourself was tricky. It involved self timers or asking someone else to take it for you which involved a lot more effort than it was worth. Little did Steve Jobs know when he made the decision to include the front facing camera that he would inspire an entire culture of self obsession. The definition of the term "selfie", first coined in 2005, according to the Merriam Webster Dictionary is:

noun self·ie \ˈsel-fē\

An image of oneself taken by oneself using a digital camera especially for posting on social networks.

Though frowned upon by many, particularly older generations, the selfie has generated higher levels of self esteem in many by allowing them to easily and casually show off their appearance to hundred of friends on social media on a daily basis. Though some call it narcissistic, there's no harm in a bit of self confidence.  

The 2014 Oscars Selfie taken on a smart phone