1. TIME LINE OF TECHNOLOGY AND
THE IMPACT ON
PHOTOJOURNALISM
Paula Cialek
March 7, 2015 – Module 8
2. Technology has affected photojournalism in many ways since the 1800’s.
As technology continues to change this allows photojournalists to report news in a more
efficient manner. The time line attached will guide you through the history of technology
advancements and how this has affected photojournalism from the 1800’s to today.
3.
4. Louis Daguerre’s invention of the Daguerrotype camera came to life
in 1839. In 1829, the camera consisted of a wooden box with a lens
at one end that threw an image onto a frosted sheet of glass at the
other end. It wasn’t until August 19, 1839 when the process was
revealed. Photographic images could be “developed” by using a
strong solution of common salt which “fixed” the image by
removing the remaining silver iodide, reducing exposure time to
less than 30 minutes keeping the image from disappearing
afterwards. This was an invention that would change
photojournalism in a new way. The Daguerrotype camera enabled
photojournalists to tell their story in a more efficient manner.
Photographers were able to stage events just as painters staged
paintings.
http://www.thedaglab.com/site_images/dag_process_images/DAGapparatus.jpg
http://www.librarycompany.org/catchingashadow/images/_large/1.1.jpg
http://lowres-picturecabinet.com.s3-eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/43/main/5/84249.jpg
DAGUERROTYPE - 1839
6. http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-
zlr1DNSqT4E/UHJUTBpCmGI/AAAAAAAACxg/_9EHXSz_ebQ/s640/url.gif
In 1878 George Eastman was one of the first to
demonstrate the convenience of gelatin dry plates. This
made developing film easier than wet plate. “Dry plates
could be exposed and developed at the convenience of
the photographer whereas wet plates had to be coated,
exposed at once and developed while still wet.”
1886 commercialization of flexible and transparent film
base and in 1891 the first day-light loading camera was
marketed. Photographers could reload cameras
without a dark room. This gave photographers the
ability to take many pictures quickly and easily carried
and handheld during operation. Because photography
was simplified this gave more people the ability to take
photos, not just trained photographers. This opened
the door for more photojournalism.
1900 the Brownie camera was introduced by the
Eastman Kodak Company. This camera was a small
black box and snapshots were simple to take. All one
had to do was hold the camera at waist height, aim and
turn a switch. This camera was inexpensive selling for
$1.00 and six exposure roll of film was only 15 cents.
EASTMAN KODAK – 1888
http://www.industryleadersmagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/Eastman-
Kodak-files-bankruptcy-e1325759384253.jpg
7. http://photo.net/philip-
greenspun/photos/pcd0181/speed
-graphic-sm.jpg
http://giam.typepad.com/.a/6a00d8341c
10fd53ef017ee61021e7970d-500wi
1944 – SPEED GRAPHIC CAMERA
The Speed Graphic Camera became the dominant
portable professional camera from the 1930’s
through the end of the 1950’s. These cameras
provided the highest quality of work and were
engineered for commercial photography such as
portraiture, advertising and documentary. The
Graflex SLR with its focal plane shutter and reflex
focusing became a successful press camera. So
successful, the Graflex Company designed the Speed
Graphic of 1912 specifically for the “press
photographer”.
The Speed Graphic camera became the still camera of
WWII. Due to the technology of this camera it
provided many famous images striking today for their
technical and artistic beauty. This camera was used
by photojournalists like Arthur Fellig or otherwise
known as Weegee. These cameras were designed to
be handheld or mounted on a tripod. Shutter speeds
were as high as 1/1000 sec. allowing photojournalists
the ability to shoot six successive images. A far
advancement from staging people in order to take
photos, as done in the 1870’s.
8. http://www.printoutlet.us/4_color/Gravure.jpg
ROTOGRAVURE - 1905
The rotogravure process uses a
rotary press with intaglio
cylinders which provided the
ability for printing magazines
and newspapers at high speeds
and long runs to handle
circulation needs.
Photojournalists were able to
“get” their stories to the public
quicker and to a larger medium.
http://memory.loc.gov/ammem/collections/rotog
ravures/rotoprocess.html
10. http://petapixel.com/2010/08/05/the-worlds-first-digital-camera-by-kodak-
and-steve-sasson/
1975 – DIGITAL
“The development of digital technology saw tremendous
advancements in technology and marked the beginning of the
relatively short history of digital photography.” In 1975 an
engineer from Eastman Kodak patented a prototype digital
camera. The camera weight about nine pounds and was the size
of a large toaster. It began with a black and white digital image
which was stored on a cassette tape a special screen was
developed in order for the engineers to view the images. This
camera took 23 seconds to record the image to tape. This is a far
cry from the 30 minutes it took to develop photos in 1839. This
technology improved the way photojournalists took pictures.
They don’t need to transport tons of equipment. They also don’t
have to worry about running out of film or change out rolls of
film with the possibility of missing a “shot”. The ease of putting
in a new card allows a better chance for not missing an important
picture/moment. The cards are small with multiple cards stored
in a small case. Depending on the size of the card this allows
more pictures to be stored versus the roll film which only holds
up to 36 exposures.
http://digitalwalt.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/Nikon-digital-Camera-D50.jpg
11. 2002 CAMERA PHONES
http://www-static.se-mc.com/blogs.dir/0/files/2013/05/xperia-t-
overview-capture-1880x600-24b9f6e45313060c0e61e383add9b39a-
940x300.jpg
http://blog.getbutterfleye.com/wp-
content/uploads/2014/12/cell-phone-camera.jpg
The technology of camera phones provides the ability to take and
send photos immediately. This allows professional photojournalists
or amateurs to immediately upload events to the public. With a
snazzy new lens, 8 megapixels and HD video, the camera is most
impressive. “These camera phones allow the photographer on
assignment to quickly enter into a dialogue with the public because
of how quickly we can take and transmit images,” Smith says.
“Photojournalists are pleased to have another tool in their toolbox.”
The technology of camera phones provides a quality picture that
allows the photographer to see the photo prior to uploading and
sending. Camera phones are small and lightweight and very easily
transported. The screens are bright and photos can be edited easier
as well as compose photographs when shooting. Photographers are
able to get in close and take advantage of the wide angle lens
without have to change out lenses. Examples abound of pioneering
shooters who take great images with simple tools, engage online
audiences, and ultimately carve out careers for themselves based in
some part on photography they make with their smartphones.
Instagram is becoming a way that the news can be broadcasted
through the technology of camera phones. All one needs is a phone
and service and the news is uploaded instantly.
