14 DAY TRIAL // 19 August might not be a date that means something to a lot of people, but photography enthusiasts probably know today we celebrate World Photo Day.
The aim of the virtual festivities is to unite photo communities of all kinds in a worldwide celebration of this great art. Those wishing to participate at the "event" can do so as a business, community or individual.
All are invited to submit their photographs to the World Photo Day open gallery until 26 August 2014 in an attempt to create the first “World Photo Day 360” photo book – a collection of images created by photographer lovers across the world.
If you are wondering why we are celebrating this today, well 19 August marks the invention of the Daguerreotype, which is a photographic process that was developed by Joseph Nicèphore Nièpce and Louis Daguerre in 1837.
Then a few years later in 1839 the French Academy of Sciences announced the Daguerreotype process. The patent was purchased by the French government shortly afterwards.
However, the Daguerreotype wasn't the first permanent photo image. Nicèphore Nièpce and his “View from the Window at Le Gras” is being credited for the first permanent photograph which was shot in 1826. The image was snapped using another process called Heliography.
However, 19 August 1839 was chosen to be World Photo Day based on this reason - the Daguerreotype was actually the first practical photographic process which was then purchased and released by the French government.
Since then the evolution of the photography industry continued to accelerate, but the last 100 years were crucial.
Take into account that the first commercially available 35mm film camera came to be 90 years ago. Digital cameras arrived into the picture 20 years and 15 years ago no one heard or even dared to dream about cameras being implemented on mobile devices.
Today everything has changed and everybody can join in the joys of photography. Capturing life’s precious moments is no longer limited to a select few or extremely costly (unless you’re a professional).
World Photo Day aims to celebrate that, so if you’re particularly proud of any of the images you shot during your weekend getaway or trip to some foreign land, don’t be shy and help us celebrate 19 August.
Not to mention you’ll be given a chance to appear in the “World Photo Day 360” photo book. Get involved and share a part of your universe!