Since the invention of photography in the 1800s by Joseph Nicéphore Niépce, photography has been used to tell a story. Everyone has a story and the invention of photography made it possible for more and more people to tell their story. Photography has progressed very far. From photos that required hours of lighting to develop to photographs that can be digitally altered at the click of a button, photographs have always had a purpose. Photographs are used to tell stories in many different ways. Sciences use photography to document new plants or to be able to study animals in more depth. Photos are used in text books to teach students about different places around the world. Family portraits hang on walls of almost every home. This exhibit explores the different ways in which photography is used.
Running (Galloping), Eadweard J. Muybridge, negative 1878–1879; print 1881, From the collection of: The J. Paul Getty Museum
In 1872, two men made a bet on whether or not all four of a horses hooves leave the ground at the same time while a horse is running. They hired Eadweard J. Muybridge solve their dispute. Muybridge’s first round of photographs didn’t come out very clear but his second round proved that not all four of a horses hooves leave the ground at the same time while running. This photo is an example for photography being used for the knowledge and research in science.
Allium ostrowskianum, Knoblauchpflanze, Karl Blossfeldt, 1928, From the collection of: The J. Paul Getty Museum
This photograph is an example of what most think of when thinking of uses of photography: beauty and entertainment. Most modern photography is used as decoration in houses, offices, hospitals, etc. A photograph of something pretty, like in this photo a flower, can be used as a way of making an environment more welcoming, such as a waiting room in a doctor’s office. Photographs are more available than paintings are. Paintings take time and skills to be recreated while photos can be printed several times.
St. Paul's Cathedral during the Blitz, Herbert Mason, 1940-12-31, From the collection of: St. Paul's Cathedral
In the photograph St. Paul’s Cathedral During the Blitz, marks the history of the attack on Italy during World War II. This photograph documents history for the world to remember and to educate. This photo could be used in history text books to teach students of the tragedies of the war. At the time this photo was taken, it could have also been used as propaganda. The devastation shown in the photo could convince people to get involved in the war.
Mission: Apollo-Saturn 17: Earth with the continent of Africa clearly depicted, on the last United States lunar voyage, Eugene A. Cernan, December 7, 1972 - December 19, 1972, printed 1991, From the collection of: The Museum of Fine Arts, Houston
In this photograph of the Earth from space (taken on the Apollo 17 mission), is not only an example of how photography is used in science but also in education. This photo is obviously available to general public. Before photography, if someone had not been somewhere, they would not know exactly what that place looked like. With the invention of photography, one does not need to go to space to see what things look like. Photographs of planets and space are used to teach students about space without them actually having to be in space.
The Brown sisters, 2008, Nicholas Nixon, 2008, From the collection of: Fundacion MAPFRE
Another use for photography, as seen in The Brown Sisters, is for family trees. Family portraits are not as modern as one would think. Family portraits dates back to hundreds of years ago (painted of course). Royal families would pay a lot of money to have paintings of their family done. Family portraits is a good way to keep track of each person’s genealogy. Portraits of family and friends are often used as keep sakes and are very valuables to their loved ones. Family portraits can also help carry on the traditions to the next generation when they are captured in a photograph.
Women's Boxing Final Match, London 2012 Summer Games, 2012-08-09, From the collection of: The Olympic Museum
In this photo, Women’s Boxing Final Match, is from the 2012 Summer Olympics in London. This picture is an example that photography is used to document important moments in sports history. This photo captures the feelings, emotions and actions of the game. Sports players keep photos of their triumphs to remember the moment. This photo is also very different than the others. It is not a still picture like the flower or the family portrait. You can see the action of the women shaking hands and feel the emotions that are shown in their faces. The bright colors show the excitement of sports.
Cardbord experience, -, 2016/2016, From the collection of: Royal Museums of Fine Arts of Belgium
One of the newest forms of photography is the invention of Cardboard experience (as shown in this photo). Cardboard experience is a virtual world seen through videos and photographs. When strapping on the googles, the viewer can look into the projection from their cellular phone and enter into a whole new world. This new inventing is used for entertainment and informational use. From a roller coaster ride to sight-seeing, cardboard image can take you many places. Many colleges have taken advantage of this new technology to have students from all over the world take a virtual tour of their campus. Photography truly has come along way!
Credits: All media
This user gallery has been created by an independent third party and may not represent the views of the institutions whose collections include the featured works or of Google Arts & Culture.
