History of Event Photography - Learn About the First Wedding Photos and First Wedding Photographers
Have you ever wondered about the history of event photography? What were the first wedding photos and what kind of techniques did the first wedding photographers apply to their work? This article will give you a quick walkthrough of how the genre has progressed over the years.
Louis Daguerre and the Invention of the Daguerreotype Process of Photography
As with most styles of photography, event photography generally came to fruition around the same time the daguerreotype process was invented. Louis Daguerre, an artist and chemist born in Cormeilles-en-Parisis, Val-d'Oise, France, partnered with Joseph Niépce for approximately four years in order to conduct experiments.
Niépce died in 1833 and 6 years later Daguerre announced the perfection of the Daguerreotype. This would later pave the road for many different genres of photography.
The First Wedding Photos
It didn't take long after the introduction of the daguerreotype for couples to begin having pictures taken of them at weddings. Most of the first wedding photographers would shoot in studios and the process was often very lengthy due to long exposure times.
Using magnesium powder and a Packard shutter, photographers would have to commit to exposures that could take several minutes, depending on how much air was passed through a rubber hose. If you recall some of the old movies depicting the first wedding photographers squeezing a rubber ball, then you have a good idea of how the first wedding photos were taken.
Since exposure was extensive, couples had to remain still for long moments of time. Many people make the mistake of thinking the stern looks on people's faces in their portraits represent the mindset of the era, when in fact it's because holding a smile for 5-10 minutes was simply uncomfortable. Smiling for photos may or may not have been traditional in certain cultures, but the hassle of having to hold still for so long is the main contributing factor to the stoicism of old portraits. Most people having their pictures taken back then probably smiled plenty after the photo was taken, relieved that they could finally move again!
First Cameras Used for Event Photography
Cameras used back in the 20th century were most frequently 8x10 or 5x7 formats. As for the lenses used in the past, daguerreotypes first used Chevalier lenses. Film usually came in sheets and it wasn't until the 1950s when roll-film cameras started becoming widely accepted.The history of event photography shines bright with the invention of digital photography. The first Western SLR to use 35mm film was the Kine Exakta, made in 1936. This design brought true innovation to the table and all kinds of new models began blasting out of the starting gate around 1945.
It's almost hard to believe that electronic flashes weren't popularized until the 1970s. A decade later, f-8 shooting was introduced, which enhanced our knowledge of the importance of depth of field. From there, advancements in film, lenses, flash and other features brought us to where we are today.
Hopefully this brief history of event photography has helped you understand the progress we have made over the years. What innovation do you believe had the biggest impact?
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