Photography

Photography is the process of making pictures by means of the action of light. It involves recording light patterns, as reflected from objects, onto a sensitive medium through a timed exposure. The process is done through mechanical, chemical or digital devices commonly known as cameras.

Color photography

Main article: color photography

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Color photography was explored throughout the 1800s. Initial experiments in color could not fix the photograph and prevent the color from fading. The first permanent color photo was taken in 1861 by the physicist James Clerk Maxwell.

Related Topics:
Color photography - 1800s - 1861 - James Clerk Maxwell

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

One of the early methods of taking color photos was to use three cameras. Each camera would have a color filter in front of the lens. This technique provides the photographer with the three basic channels required to recreate a color image in a darkroom or processing plant.

Related Topics:
Filter - Photographer - Darkroom

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Practical application of the technique was held back by the very limited colour response of early film; however, in the early 1900s, following the work of photo-chemists such as H. W. Vogel, emulsions with adequate sensitivity to green and red light at last became available.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

The first color film, Autochrome, thus did not reach the market until 1907; it was based on a 'screen-plate' filter made of dyed dots of potato starch. The first modern ('integrated tri-pack') color film, Kodachrome, was introduced in 1935 based on three colored emulsions. Most modern color films, except Kodachrome, are based on technology developed for Agfacolor (as 'Agfacolor Neue') in 1936. Instant color film was introduced by Polaroid in 1963.

Related Topics:
Autochrome - 1907 - Kodachrome - 1935 - Agfacolor - 1936 - Instant color film - Polaroid - 1963

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Color photography may form images as a positive transparency, intended for use in a slide projector or as color negatives, intended for use in creating positive color enlargements on specially coated paper. The latter is now the most common form of film (non-digital) color photography, owing to the introduction of automated photoprinting equipment.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~