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The Development of Photography: From Film to Digital

By: Bob Dale

Photography can be defined as the action of capturing photographs. In simple, yet technical terms, photography is the capturing of light and recording it onto another medium such as film or digital media.

Photography can be a pursuit of pleasure or a pursuit of financial gain. Whether you do photography as a hobby for the sake of your own enjoyment or do photography as a professional pursuit, the quality of your photographs will influence how much benefit you get out of it.

Photography has advanced significantly over the past few years. Before the advent of digital cameras, film cameras were widely used. Today, however, digital cameras are becoming more and more popular.

"Once the 35mm film SLR camera was the camera to own but now, there are digital SLR cameras like the Canon Rebel Xti that give the photographer great results with less frustration than their film counterparts" says Minneapolis photographer Bob Dale.

Black-and-white photography, color photography, and digital photography are the three main styles of photography in use today.

Black-and-white photography is often referred to as monochrome photography. Black-and-white photography is not just the original photography style; it has remained an artistic photography style. Though color photography has been around for many decades, the special contrasts created by black-and-white photography continued to be used for their artistic appeal. "Today Black-and-white photography is associated with "fine art" photography, as in the style of Ansel Adams landscape photos or the George Hurrell style of Hollywood portraits" says professional digital photographer Bob Dale.

It should be noted, however, that monochrome photos are not always strictly black and white; there are other hues as well based on the processed used. For instance, the Cyanotype process is used in monochrome photography that results in blue and white images, instead of black and white.

In the mid-1800s, experiments on color photography began. During this time, color couldn't be fixed on the photographs and the color couldn't be prevented from fading. In 1861, however, a physicist named James Clerk Maxwell took the first permanent color photograph. Back then, three cameras were used to take color photos, with the lens on each of the three cameras having a color filter in front of it.

It wasn't until 1907 with the introduction of Autochrome that color photography took off. In 1932, Agfa introduced Agfacolor, a color film. In 1935, Kodak came out with Kodachrome, the first modern integrated tri-pack color film, which significantly simplified film processing. In 1963, Polaroid introduced the instant color film.

Digital photography uses digital technology to capture and create images. Unlike film photography, digital photography does not use photographic film for creating images. Images are instead stored in electronic media, such as a memory card in the camera.

Digital photos can be displayed, stored, manipulated and disseminated electronically. They can be printed without having to undergo chemical processing; photos can be printed directly from the camera or from the computer to a laser, inkjet or thermal print on photo or regular paper.

Most photography professionals who specialize in portrait photography or wedding photography choose digital SLR cameras. Digital SLR cameras give the photographer the ability to print out quick proof sheets so the customers can quickly pick out which photographs they want to buy.

Digital SLRs become particularly handy for wedding photography in varying lighting conditions where the digital camera can make adjustments for the lighting without the need for flash. It is also handy to be able to quickly review photographs during the event to make sure the photographer has gotten good pictures of the wedding guests, wedding dress, and wedding cake while the opportunity for retakes still exists.

Digital cameras have become very affordable. The prices of simple digital cameras have been continually dropping due to increased competition and decreasing electronic component prices. For less than $100, you can purchase a digital camera that will take good pictures of your family and friends without requiring much technical knowledge or skill in photography.

There is no reason why you can't start with an inexpensive digital camera and then, if you enjoy it, move up to an advanced digital SLR camera later. You may find that before long you are earning a living from your digital photography.

Article Source: http://www.particlearticles.com

Discover more from digital photography and the digital camera with professional digital photographer Bob Dale. Visit his photography website at photo.dalestudios.com

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