photography

Photography is the practice of creating durable images by recording light or other electromagnetic radiation, usually through a camera. It sits at the intersection of science and art, drawing on optics, chemistry, and digital electronics to translate a moment into a visual record. The word photography derives from Greek photos, "light," and graphé, "drawing."

History and development: Early experiments with light and optics culminated in the daguerreotype of 1839, followed by improvements such as the calotype, wet plate, and roll film. The 20th century brought mass-produced cameras, and the transition to digital sensors in the late 20th century reshaped workflows. By the 2000s, smartphones made photography ubiquitous.

Process and equipment: A camera controls exposure and capture. Core parameters are aperture, shutter speed, and ISO. In film, images are developed and printed; in digital photography, images are captured as files and processed with software. Common gear includes cameras, lenses, tripods, lighting, and stabilization devices.

Techniques: Composition, lighting, and subject matter shape an image. Technical considerations include exposure metering, white balance, focus, and depth of field. Post-processing—adjusting contrast, color, and sharpness—is standard in many workflows.

Genres and practices: Portrait, landscape, documentary, street, macro, architectural, sports, nature, astrophotography, and fine art are among major genres. Ethical and legal issues include consent, privacy, copyright, and model releases.

Impact and preservation: Photography records history, communicates information, and supports science and journalism. Proper archival practices, file formats, and metadata help ensure long-term accessibility.