photographie

Photographie is the art, science, and practice of creating durable images by recording light or other electromagnetic radiation, typically with a camera. The term derives from Greek roots photos meaning light and graphein meaning to write or draw; in English it became photography, and in French the corresponding term is photographie. The field encompasses technical methods, aesthetic considerations, and the dissemination of images through a range of media.

The history of photographie begins with the camera obscura and a long line of experiments to fix images. Nicéphore Niépce produced the first permanent photograph in 1826 using a bitumen-coated plate. Louis Daguerre’s daguerreotype, announced in 1839, offered sharp, highly detailed images on copper plates. In 1841 William Henry Fox Talbot introduced the calotype, enabling multiple positives from a single negative. The wet plate process and later gelatin dry plates increased practicality and speed in the 1850s–1870s. The introduction of roll film and the Kodak system in the late 19th century spurred amateur photography and broader adoption. Color photography followed with processes such as Autochrome in 1907 and evolved through mid-20th century technics before modern dye-subs or color negatives.

Techniques in photographie involve controlling exposure through the exposure triangle of aperture, shutter speed, and ISO; proficiency in focusing, composition, lighting, and white balance; and later, post-processing and archival management. The rise of digital sensors in the late 20th century transformed production, editing, and distribution, enabling RAW workflows, extensive image manipulation, and rapid sharing via the internet and smartphones. Today, photographie spans fine art, documentary, science, journalism, and everyday imagery, with ongoing debates about ethics, authenticity, and preservation.