Photography has come a long way since its invention in the early 19th century. From the first permanent photograph captured in 1826 to the digital revolution of the 21st century, the evolution of the camera is one of the most fascinating stories in the history of technology and art. We've put together this visual timeline to take you through the key milestones that shaped photography as we know it today.
The History of Photography — Infographic
Key Milestones in Photography History
The history of photography spans nearly two centuries of innovation. Here are some of the most significant turning points:
- 1826 — The first photograph: Joseph Nicéphore Niépce captured the earliest known surviving photograph, "View from the Window at Le Gras", using a pewter plate coated in bitumen.
- 1839 — The Daguerreotype: Louis Daguerre introduced the daguerreotype process, the first publicly available photographic method, producing highly detailed images on silver-coated copper plates.
- 1888 — Kodak's first camera: George Eastman launched the Kodak camera with the slogan "You press the button, we do the rest", making photography accessible to everyday consumers for the first time.
- 1948 — Instant photography: Polaroid introduced the Model 95, the world's first instant camera, allowing photos to develop in under a minute.
- 1975 — The first digital camera: Kodak engineer Steve Sasson built the first digital camera prototype, capturing a 0.01-megapixel black-and-white image onto a cassette tape.
- 2000s — The smartphone revolution: The integration of cameras into mobile phones transformed photography into a truly universal activity, with billions of images now captured every day.
Explore More Photography Guides
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ISO | Aperture | Shutter Speed
Frequently Asked Questions
Who invented photography?
Photography was developed by multiple inventors working in parallel. Joseph Nicéphore Niépce is credited with capturing the first permanent photograph in 1826, while Louis Daguerre popularised the medium with the daguerreotype process in 1839. William Henry Fox Talbot also made significant contributions with the calotype process, which introduced the concept of a negative from which multiple prints could be made.
When was the first digital camera invented?
The first digital camera was built in 1975 by Kodak engineer Steve Sasson. It weighed 3.6kg, captured a 0.01-megapixel black-and-white image, and took 23 seconds to record to a cassette tape. Commercial digital cameras didn't become widely available until the 1990s.
How has smartphone photography changed the industry?
Smartphone cameras have democratised photography by putting a capable camera in virtually everyone's pocket. While professional cameras still offer significant advantages in image quality, dynamic range, and creative control, smartphones have driven enormous innovation in computational photography — features like portrait mode, night mode, and AI-enhanced processing are now standard.
What is the difference between film and digital photography?
Film photography captures images on light-sensitive chemical emulsion, producing a physical negative or slide. Digital photography captures images as electronic data on a sensor, storing them as digital files. Film is valued by many photographers for its distinctive aesthetic and tonal qualities, while digital offers instant feedback, lower ongoing costs, and far greater flexibility in post-processing.
Is film photography making a comeback?
Yes — film photography has seen a significant resurgence in recent years, particularly among younger photographers drawn to its tactile process and distinctive look. Sales of film and film cameras have grown steadily since the mid-2010s, and Ted's stocks a range of film cameras and accessories to support this growing interest.