December 4, 2024

Caroline Cronin 

9th Grade

Fairfax High School 

Introduction

From the first camera obscura to the first photographic cameras and even the cameras on our cell phones, photography has been present for centuries and continues to evolve today. Photography captures moments frozen in time—people, places, experiences, and more. While the art of photography has amazed people for decades, the true beauty lies in the camera itself. 

A Brief History

The first camera was created in 400 BC. Called the camera obscura, it didn’t take pictures but instead projected light through a small hole to display an image on a screen, functioning similarly to a projector. Next came the design for a handflex reflex camera, invented by Johann Zahn in 1685. However, the design was never actually made until 1816, when Joseph Nicephore Niepce made something very similar, modeling off of Zahn’s idea. This became known as the first photographic camera. According to MasterClass, images taken using the camera were developed on paper using silver chloride, and the oldest photograph, currently on display at the University of Texas, was created in 1826. Fast forwarding years, the invention of Kodak cameras came into focus. The Kodak was the first portable camera, invented by George Eastman and marketed in 1888. Years and years later, in 2004, the mirrorless camera was released by Epson (MasterClass). Unlike its predecessors, this camera doesn’t require a reflex mirror. Instead, light travels through the lens directly to the sensor, displaying the image on a small screen. 

What is the Camera Made of? 

Today, this mirrorless camera is still widely used, with various advancements and modifications. The main parts of a camera include the lens, aperture, shutter, and image sensor. The lens is made of glass and helps bend the image to ensure the image’s quality. The aperture is an adjustable opening that allows light in. The size of the aperture can be adjusted based on personal preference. The image sensor acts as the film or screen that captures the image. Different types of cameras use different types of film or sensors. The shutter can open or close to let light in or block it from entering the camera. It is made of two curtains. When the shutter is activated to take a picture, the first curtain opens and light is displayed onto the film or sensor. After a certain time period, the second curtain closes to conceal the film or sensor.

Images and colors are captured using either a sensor or film. The two main types of cameras are digital cameras and film cameras. The primary difference is that digital cameras use a sensor to capture the image, while film cameras rely on chemically-treated film to sense light. Digital cameras allow you to immediately view the image on the screen, but on film cameras, the image needs to be developed before it is visible. 

Taking a Closer Look

Zooming in and out are functions on cameras that let you capture distant images as if they were right in front of us. The two main ways to zoom are optical and digital zoom. When using optical zoom, the lens moves to increase focal length (MasterClass). If you are zooming in, the lens will move away from the sensor. When using digital zoom, photo-processing software in the camera will make the center of the photo larger and the rest of the image cut out. When deciding which zoom feature to use, there are a few points to keep in mind. Optical zoom keeps the image quality, or resolution, the same even if you zoom all the way in or out. However, the image resolution decreases as you use digital zoom. The two types of camera lenses that can be used for zooming in and out are prime lenses and zoom lenses. Prime lenses have a set focal length and zoom lenses have different options for focal length. 

Conclusion

The camera has evolved significantly over time. Modern cameras offer features like zooming in and out, and allow you to see the image instantly on a small screen. The next time you see a beautiful image of the mountains or a sunset, you’ll understand the process behind it—from choosing the right lens to deciding how to zoom in and out. While technology will continue to advance the camera, the art of photography will never lose its true beauty.