Photography originated from Western photographers bringing the practice to the Spanish colonies of the Philippines in the 1840s-1890s. It was used as a medium for news, tourism, anthropology, asserting social status, historical documentation, communication, and propaganda. While influenced by Western art, photography was adapted to the colonized Philippines. A famous contemporary Filipino photographer is Emmanuel Santos, who documents the Jewish Diaspora and has worked for the UNHCR and as a folk singer.