World Photography Day (also known as World Photo Day) celebrates the art, craft, science, and history of photography. The day also encourages photographers from around the globe to share a single photo that encapsulates their world.
1. What is the Date of World Photography Day?
World Photography Day, observed on August 19, commemorates photographers who endeavor to provide us with photographs from throughout the world. Photography draws society's attention, and the photographer who captures and displays it in public can be found here.
The photographs and art we enjoy would be nothing without the skill of a determined photographer. Let us honor photographers by agreeing to give credit where credit is due. Portrait photography, fashion photography, architectural photography, and landscape photography are just a handful of the numerous types of photography available today.
2. World Photography Day History
Every year on August 19, the world celebrates World Photography Day. The day is an unofficial holiday in which individuals can celebrate the art of photography. Photographers that are passionate about the genre gather to share their approaches and ideas with the rest of the world.
The day celebrates innovation and complexities in the realm of photography. It's an opportunity to inspire more people to pursue this form of art that has captivated the world for decades.
World Photography Day was first observed in France in 1837. Two Frenchmen named Joseph Nicephore Niepcce and Louis Daguerre invented the first photography method by inventing the 'daguerreotype.' The French Academy of Sciences formally declared the development of the daguerreotype on January 19, 1837. The French government is thought to have acquired the patent for the discovery 10 days after the announcement and given it to the world as a free gift with no copyright.
While the French discovery is widely recognized as the beginning of commercial photography, William Henry Fox Talbot simplified photography technique in 1839. On salt prints on paper, Mr. Talbot devised a more versatile photography technology. This more versatile technology competed with the daguerreotype, which was made of metal.
George Eastman of Rochester, New York refined the daguerreotype technology 40 years later, in 1884. He replaced the copper plate with a film-like dry gel on paper. Photographers no longer had to transport heavy copper plates and hazardous chemicals because of this technology. In 1888, Eastman invented the Kodak camera. Almost anyone could now take a photograph thanks to the technology.
Photography has evolved over time as a result of technology advances and improvements. While there is a wide range of techniques, styles, angles, and quality, the language and substance remain consistent. There was a time when new methods for transferring and replicating images and illustrations from woodcuts and engravings were invented.
Despite a plethora of changes, photography remains a favorite among connoisseurs even as we go into a wholly digital world. Photography has the ability to record expressions, sentiments, ideas, and moments in real time and immortalize them for future generations to see.
Many people no longer use film in their cameras due to the growth of digital photography. However, some photographers prefer film over digital photography. Some of the reasons are their film tastes, which include higher resolution, little need for electricity, and fewer copyright worries.
3. World Photography Day Activities
Organize a Photography Contest
You can express your gratitude by doing what photographers do. It doesn't matter who wins or loses as long as everyone gets the chance to share their photographs with the rest of the globe.
The American Museum of Photography is a must-see
Visit the American Museum of Photography, a year-round virtual museum dedicated to photography appreciation! The museum features exhibitions about the history of photography, rare posters, live performances by photographers, and camera purchases.
Spread the Love via Social Media.
Post your favorite photo, whether it's your own or someone else's, and credit the photographer on your social media pages. Remember to mention National Photography Day and add the hashtag #NationalPhotographyDay.
Enter a Photography Contest.
Why not put your skills to the test and compete in a photographic competition? You can now enter the Sony World Photography Awards for free. You can compete in four separate competitions: the Youth Competition, the Student Competition, the Professional Competition, and the Open Competition.
Create a Photography Blog.
Writing a photography blog can be a terrific way to share your photography skills and passion with others. It may also be a terrific forum for sharing your work and promoting yourself as a photographer.
Experiment with Instant Film Photography.
If you haven't tried using an instant camera before, now is the time to do so! Instant film photography is an art form in its own right, and photographers who haven't tried it yet will enjoy learning how to do it.
Invest in a Photographer.
Why not do the opposite and have images taken of you? Being in front of the camera and starring in your own images may be a fun experience.
Offer to Photograph Your Buddies.
What better way to improve as a photographer than via practice? It's excellent to gain more photography experience, but you can also share your talent with others by providing them portraits. Not only will everyone gain something useful from the experience, but you will also be able to create memories with your friends by spending time together.
4. World Photography Day Quotes
Rene Burri
“If you are truly successful in capturing the pulse of life, then you can speak of a good photograph.”
William Klein
“I would look at my contact sheets and my heart would be beating, you know. To see if I’d caught what I wanted. Sometimes, I’d take shots without aiming, just to see what happened. I’d rush into crowds – bang! Bang! I liked the idea of luck and taking a chance, other times I’d frame a composition I saw and plant myself somewhere, longing for some accident to happen.
Choosing location, maybe a symbolic spot, the light and perspective – and suddenly you know the moment is yours. It must be close to what a fighter feels after jabbing and circling and getting hit, when suddenly there's an opening, and bang! Right on the button. It’s a fantastic feeling.”
Ansel Adams
“You don’t take a photograph, you make it.”
Robert Capa
“If your pictures aren’t good enough you’re not close enough.”
David Alan Harvey
“Don’t shoot what it looks like. Shoot what it feels like.”
Marc Riboud
“Taking pictures is savoring life intensely, every hundredth of a second.”
Robert Frank
“The eye should learn to listen before it looks.”
Alfred Eisenstaedt
“When I have a camera in my hand, I know no fear.”
Imogen Cunningham
“Which of my photographs is my favorite? The one I’m going to take tomorrow.”
Irving Penn
“A good photograph is one that communicates a fact, touches the heart and leaves the viewer a changed person for having seen it. It is, in a word, effective.”
