29.11.2001 History of the media
The History of Press Photography
Bartłomiej Dwornik
The birth of photography is dated to 1839, when French painter Louis Daguerre announced the principles of daguerreotype (an image projected through a lens onto a silver-plated copper sheet, developed with mercury vapor, and fixed with sodium thiosulfate).
Poczytaj artykuł
w wydaniu polskimAt the same time, English scientist W. Talbot invented a method called talbotype, in which the photosensitive material was paper soaked in a silver nitrate solution and, after drying, dipped in a solution of sodium chloride or bromide. The negative exposed in the camera was developed with a gallic acid solution, fixed with sodium thiosulfate, rinsed, and dried. Daguerreotype, however, gained much greater popularity.
- In 1840, Hungarian mathematician J.M. Petzwal built a portrait lens, reducing portrait time to one minute.
- A year later, the first metal camera by Voigtlaender appeared.
- In 1851, English photographer Frederick Archer and French photographer Gustave Le Gray introduced the collodion process (using glass plates coated with collodion—a mixture of alcohol and ether, developed in acid. They had to be exposed while wet).
- 1855 - English physicist James Maxwell produced the first color photographic images, using the principle of additive color mixing.
- In 1862, Englishman Charles Russell discovered a method of chemical development in an alkaline environment.
- In 1873, German chemist Hermann Vogel developed optical sensitization (increasing light sensitivity and expanding the range of photosensitive materials).
- 1874 - Frenchman Ducos du Hauron invented the first practical autochrome method, where light passed through a layer of colored grains (the raster) before reaching the photosensitive emulsion. During development, color appeared from the colored raster grains.
- From 1887 to 1889, Americans Hannibal Goodwin and George Eastman (independently) invented celluloid photographic film.
- In 1890, the first anastigmat was created (a lens system that provided a clear, undistorted image of all points in the subject).
- 1910-1914 - German chemist Rudolf Fischer developed the principle of multilayer photosensitive material and color development (simultaneous image formation in each layer—black and white and color. The images in each layer combined to form a color image). These principles came into use about 20 years later by KODAK (USA) and AGFA (Germany).
- In 1925, infrared-sensitive plates were introduced.
- 1926 brought a revolution with the appearance of the first 35mm Leica camera, sparking rapid development in photojournalism, which reached its peak after World War II.
- 1929 - the first twin-lens reflex camera, Rolleiflex.
- 1936 - the 35mm single-lens reflex camera, Exakta.
In the 1930s, magnesium flash lamps appeared worldwide—magnesium powder was poured onto a glass plate and ignited just before taking a picture. This method was dangerous, leading many photojournalists to suffer severe burns, loss of eyes, fingers, and sometimes entire hands.
Only after press magnate William Hearst fell victim to such a flash did he order all his photojournalists to use the new magnesium bulbs, which dominated the market from the 1940s. They were slightly less dangerous but often exploded. True progress came with electronic flash units housed in substantial cases and powered by batteries. Photojournalists resembled burdened camels, but they were safe.
- 1941-42 - diffusion copying method (photographic reproduction).
- 1947 - the "one-minute" Polaroid-Land camera and pentaprism (light rays reflected from the reflex mirror are bounced three times, making the viewfinder image upright and not inverted).
- 1954 - the 6x6 cm single-lens reflex camera, Hasselblad.
- 1964 - Voigtlaender’s Zoomar variable focal length lens.
- 1966 - the introduction of electronic components in cameras began.
COMMERCIAL BREAK
New articles in section History of the media
History of Comcast. How a Modest Cable Company Became a Media Giant
Małgorzata Dwornik
In 1963, it had only 1,200 customers and a dream. Six decades later, it became the world's third-largest media powerhouse. Ralph J. Roberts risked it all to bet on cable television. Did he know what he was doing? The history of Comcast shows that... he knew exactly what he was doing.
Hind Nawfal and Al Fatat. The First Women's Magazine in the Arab World
Małgorzata Dwornik
The Egyptian phenomenon, founded by the "mother of female journalists", lasted only two years in the market. However, in that short time, it accomplished so much for Arab women that it is still called a "revolutionary" today. The Arab "Girl" and its founder were the first significant female voices in this culture.
Vanuatu Daily Post. 30 Years of Struggle (Including Fistfights) for Free Media
Małgorzata Dwornik
Ambition and hard work are not enough to keep a newspaper running. The most popular title in exotic Vanuatu today nearly shared the fate of its many forgotten predecessors. But fate had other plans - thanks to an unexpected reunion and... a phone book. What followed was even more interesting. And not always safe.
See articles on a similar topic:
Weekly News Of The World. History of Success and Downfall
Małgorzata Dwornik
The publication appeared on the market in 1843 and quickly gained popularity. In the 1930s, Winston Churchill contributed to its pages. Two decades later, it set a world record with 8.6 million copies, thriving on sensationalism and scandal. Crossing boundaries ultimately sealed the fate of News of The World. It disappeared in 2011 due to a massive phone-hacking scandal.
Kevin Carter. The Story of a Bang-Bang Club Photojournalist
Małgorzata Dwornik
His photo from Sudan, "The Vulture and the Little Girl", became an iconic image. Earlier, risking the death penalty, he and his friends documented apartheid crimes in his native South Africa. Kevin Carter, a Pulitzer Prize winner and the creator of thousands of powerful images, struggled with the weight of what he witnessed through his camera.
The Fourth Estate in America: I Write, Therefore I Am...
Urszula Sienkiewicz
The press in the United States, extensively discussed before, has another intriguing niche that cannot be overlooked when talking about American media. Magazines: weekly and monthly publications for enthusiasts.
Le Nouvelliste. History of Haiti's Oldest Daily Newspaper
Małgorzata Dwornik
Surviving its first year only due to a wine and potato importer, it held a monopoly on news from France. It meticulously avoided blending news with commentary - until the U.S. occupation of Haiti in 1915. It was elevated to the top by a trio known as the “Holy Monsters.” Thus begins the story of the Haitian daily, Le Nouvelliste.
