World Photography Day is celebrated every August 19 of the year. This holiday is also known as the World Photo Day or National Photography Day. It is all about celebrating the art and science of photography. This holiday was founded in 2009 by Korske Ara, an Australian photographer. This day encourages people to pick up their cameras and take pictures of various things in the world around them. Such photos are then meant to be shared with other people around the world.
About Happy World Photo Day
The World Photography Day serves to inspire people all over the world, especially photographers to share their photo with a purpose. That photo can be anything – ranging from the arts and the creative shots to the real-world photographs.
The day also aims inspire people around the world to try to become photographers. Being a photographer is not only fun because you get to catch photos of interesting moments but also because you get to keep memories of things that happened in the past. In addition, powerful photographs, though not moving, can inspire people in different parts of the world. Various powerful photographs have been shared in different media outlets and have become sources of talk among people. Your photograph may be the next in line.
Check out Also: National Photography Month
Dates
World Photography Day is always celebrated on August 19.
History
The origin of the World Photography Day can be traced back to when photography was first started by people and when cameras were first invented.
The origin of photography
Taking photos itself is somehow a modern innovation by humans. But even before the invention of photography, people have tried to capture moments that are worth keeping as memories. For instance, people have painted portraits of other people. There are also paintings of families together.
The invention of camera obscura
The emergence of photography can be traced back to the discovery of the camera obscura. This device has a hole where light passes through and then created an inverted image of a scene it captures outside. The earliest records of the use of camera obscura can be traced back to 4000 BC China. Artists would use the images captures by the camera obscura in their paintings.
Modern day photography
Photography as we know today emerged only during the early 19th century. People were able to find a way to permanently capture a scene on a surface using chemicals that react to light. The earliest surviving photographs can be traced back to between 1826 and 1827. Such photographs were taken by Joseph Nicephore Niepce, a French inventor. The photograph he took was a view of the Niepce estate in Burgundy, France.
Photography then underwent lots of innovations from the point onwards. We now have various kinds of camera today. We started with big cameras that can only capture in black and white. We then had handheld cameras using films. We also have DSLR and SLR cameras which can take high quality and high definition photos. We also have high-end cameras in our smartphones today.
Origin
World Photography Day is founded by Korske Ara, an Australian photographer. The 19th day of August was chosen as the day of celebration because during this day when the patent of the daguerreotype was patented and bought by the French government. Daguerreotype is an early method of photography. This day is also when the World Humanitarian Day is celebrated.
The Beginning of Worldwide Celebrations
The celebration of this holiday only started from humble beginnings. In fact, in 2010, only about 250 people signed up to participate in the celebration of this day. But now, it has reached a global audience of 5000 million people. Participants share their photographs, especially those that raise awareness on issues that are important for them and to their communities.
For instance, in , the World Photography Day was celebrated to support the Cerebral Palsy Alliance. It is an organization of people with cerebral palsy and those with friends and family suffering from the disease. The fundraising activity held by the celebration was able to reach about $15,000.
Facts
The following are some interesting facts about the World Photography Day that are worth sharing to other people:
- The date celebrates August 19, 1839, when the French government bought the patent for the daguerreotype and released it free to the world.
- The daguerreotype was invented back in 1836. It was the first ever practical photographic process.
- The earliest known permanent photographic image was created in 1826 by a more complex process called heliography.
- The exposure time needed to make that photograph from heliography was about 8 hours.
- Because of digital cameras installed on mobile phones, more than 350 billion photos are now taken each year all around the world.
- According to statistics, around 250 billion photos have already been uploaded to Facebook.
- Prince Albert and Queen Victoria had their own dark room installed at the Windsor Castle in order to cater to their hobby which is photography.
- The first ever photo of the moon was take in 1851. The first ever photo of the dark side of the moon was take in 1959.
- The earliest use of the word “photograph” can be traced back in 1839 by Sir John Herschel.
- Queen Victoria is said to be the first person who used the abbreviation photo in a letter back in 160.
World Photography Day Quotes
- Photography is the story I fail to put into words — Destin Sparks
- In photography there is a reality so subtle that it becomes more real than reality — Alfred Stieglitz
- There is one thing the photograph must contain, the humanity of the moment — Robert Frank
- Taking an image, freezing a moment, reveals how rich reality truly is — Anonymous
- Photography is a way of feeling, of touching, of loving. What you have caught on film is captured forever… It remembers little things, long after you have forgotten everything — Aaron Siskind
- Photography for me is not looking, it’s feeling. If you can’t feel what you’re looking at, then you’re never going to get others to feel anything when they look at your pictures — Don McCullin
- If the photographer is interested in the people in front of his lens, and if he is compassionate, it’s already a lot. The instrument is not the camera but the photographer — Eve Arnold
- The whole point of taking pictures is so that you don’t have to explain things with words — Elliott Erwitt
Happy Wishes
- Every moment matters in life. It is all about standing firm on your feet capturing every moment, collecting memories and enjoying it. Happy World Photography Day to all. Keep clicking keep enjoying.
- On 19th August, the art of photography celebrate across the world. People capture different ideas and share their world with others, bringing more happiness through the means of photography. HAPPY WORLD PHOTOGRAPHY DAY to all the clicking lovers.
- On this August 19, I wish all the people behind the camera a Happy World Photography Day.
- Photography is the simplest thing in the world. But it is incredibly complicated to make it really work. Happy world photography day.
- Happy world photographers day to all the talented photographers who capture things more beautiful.
- Happy World Photography Day to all of the wonderful photographers out there who let the rest of the world see through their lens. We truly appreciate you, each and every day. “You don’t take a photograph, you make it”.
Why Celebrate Happy World Photo Day
The following are the main reasons why you should participate in the World Photography Day:
The Opportunity to Advocate for a Good Cause
Joining the World Photography Day will allow you to participate in group and community advocacies for good causes. Various organizations are advocating for their own causes. You can, for instance, join a group that raises awareness about malnourished children. Photographs of what these children are experiencing and where they are can be so powerful that people will talk about them and so respective groups will be pressured to grant help to these poor children.
The Opportunity to Capture Amazing Memories
Another good reason why you should participate in the celebration of this day is that you will have the opportunity to capture amazing memories. You can simply take pictures of you with your friends and family and how you are celebrating the day together. For sure, you will look back to these photographs one day and think about how happy you were during that day hoping that it would all happen again.
To Have Lots of Fun
You should also celebrate this holiday simply because it is fun to do so. Taking pictures is indeed a fun activity, no wonder why a lot of people take photography as their hobby. There are so many things and moments to capture. You can be as creative as you want when you celebrate this day.
Celebration Ideas and Activities
Anyone can celebrate this day, regardless of whether you are a professional, amateur, or occasional photographer. It is very easy to celebrate this day. The following are some good ideas you can take note of to make your celebration of this day as best as it can be:
Learn More About Photography
A good way to celebrate this day is to learn more about photography. Perhaps you can do your own research about its history and how the industry evolved. There are lots of good sources to learn all these. You can find them in photography books or even online.
Take Photography Lessons
Another good way to celebrate this holiday is to take photography lessons. You can learn some good tips on how to take good pictures, depending on what kind of photo you want to take. You can make photos become powerful. You can emphasize some little things in your photographs. There are a lot of things to learn about properly taking photos. And it is really good to learn all these during the World Photo Day.
Become a Photographer with an Advocacy
You can also become a photographer with an advocacy when you celebrate this day. as mentioned above, most people who participate in the celebration of this day want to make their pictures popular because they show their advocacies and that things that they are lobbying for.
Here are some frequently asked questions about World Photography Day:
Q: What is World Photography Day?
A: World Photography Day is an annual event that celebrates the art and craft of photography. It is observed on August 19th every year.
Q: When did World Photography Day start?
A: World Photography Day was first celebrated in 2010 to mark the 171st anniversary of the first permanent photographic process invented by Joseph Nicéphore Niépce in 1839.
Q: How is World Photography Day celebrated?
A: World Photography Day is celebrated in many different ways around the world. Some people take photos and share them on social media using the hashtag #WorldPhotographyDay. Others attend photography exhibitions, workshops, and contests.
Q: Why is World Photography Day important?
A: World Photography Day is important because it celebrates the power of photography to capture and convey emotions, stories, and ideas. It also recognizes the hard work and dedication of photographers around the world who use their talents to inspire and educate others.
Q: Can anyone participate in World Photography Day?
A: Yes, anyone can participate in World Photography Day regardless of their level of experience or equipment. Whether you’re a professional photographer or just starting out, you can celebrate this day by taking photos, sharing them online, or attending photography events in your area.
Q: How can I get involved in World Photography Day?
A: You can get involved in World Photography Day by taking photos, sharing them online using the hashtag #WorldPhotographyDay, attending photography events in your area, or organizing your own event. You can also support photographers by buying their prints or attending their exhibitions.