📚 Definition of Photography

• Core Idea: Photography is the process of recording images by capturing light on a light‑sensitive surface (film, plate, or digital sensor).
• Dual Nature: It is both a scientific technique (optics, chemistry, digital sensors) and an art form (composition, storytelling, aesthetics).
• Earliest Example: The first surviving camera photograph, View from the Window at Le Gras (1826), by Nicéphore Niépce.

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🕰️ How Its Importance Has Changed Over Time

19th Century – Scientific Breakthrough

• Invention of the daguerreotype (1839) revolutionized visual documentation.
• Photography became a tool for science, exploration, and portraiture, replacing painted likenesses.

Early 20th Century – Artistic & Social Medium

• Figures like Alfred Stieglitz elevated photography into fine art.
• Used for journalism and propaganda, shaping public opinion during wars and social movements.

Mid‑20th Century – Mass Communication

• Introduction of film cameras and color photography made images accessible to everyday families.
• Photography became central to advertising, fashion, and mass media.

Late 20th Century – Global Documentation

• Portable cameras allowed photojournalists to capture civil rights protests, wars, and cultural shifts.
• Photography became a powerful witness to history, influencing politics and humanitarian causes.

21st Century – Digital & Social Revolution

• Digital cameras and smartphones made photography universal.
• Platforms like Instagram and TikTok turned images into social currency.
• Photography now drives identity, activism, marketing, and memory preservation.

📊 Summary Table

Era	Importance
19th Century	Scientific discovery, portraiture, exploration
Early 20th	Fine art, journalism, propaganda
Mid‑20th	Mass communication, advertising, family memory
Late 20th	Historical witness, political influence
21st Century	Digital ubiquity, social media, activism

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✨ In Summary

Photography began as a scientific experiment and evolved into a universal language. Today, it is not only about recording reality but also about shaping perception, identity, and culture. Its importance has grown from documenting the world to actively influencing how we see and understand it.