National Camera Day – June 29

Every year on June 29th, we celebrate National Camera Day, a celebration of the cameras, photographers, and their creativity. The day commemorates the existence of cameras and the benefits it holds for mankind. A camera is a vital tool used to record and rewatch memories, occasions, individuals, and places. Photographs have allowed us to learn and observe so many things about the natural world that we couldn’t before the invention of the camera.

What is Photography

The origin of the word Photograph comes from Greek culture. In this context, the word ‘photo’ means ‘light’ in greek, and in photography is used to describe a single image. When you are using a camera you are capturing a “photo”. Likewise, this ‘photo’ is referred to as a ‘photograph’, which is the combination of the Greek words for light and drawing. Long story short, ‘photograph’ is drawing with light. Cameras allow us to record moments and memories with images without using words.

Camera History

Cameras are easily the most popular way for us to be able to capture our memories. Before the invention of cameras, the only source of saving memory was a painting. There were only a few who can capture an image of a person or a place by drawing. The camera is a simple, inexpensive, and fast solution for capturing any moment. While the history of the occasion is not well documented, those who embrace the holiday say National Camera Day celebrates how photography has developed over the years and how accessible it is today.

Over 800 years ago, photography’s origin began with the invention of the camera obscura, which translates to a “dark chamber.” The camera obscura could project an image but didn’t leave a lasting one. Unlike the modern cameras of today, the original camera was a box with a hole. Through the hole, the light would pass, projecting an image onto the dark interior of the box. However, once the light disappeared, so did the image. As the years went on, cameras became more advanced and fun to use.

The first modern photography was taken in the year 1827 by Nicéphore Niépce, a French inventor. But the instrument he used to take pictures took almost eight hours to expose the entire image. This laid a great path for scientists to develop the camera. Later, many scientists contributed to this invention and developed different kinds of cameras and lenses which paved way for the revolutionary evolution of cameras in the world today. To be blunt, we all have cameras in our mobile phones and we take pictures every day. This was a huge revolution in the past century and this may also evolve and expand in future centuries.

Early invented cameras were huge and bulky but with evolution, they can be as small as a pen. From the first camera obscura to the smartphone lens currently tucked in our pockets, the camera is an invention that changed how we see and record the world. Mobile devices with lenses and filters have effectively made a photographer out of everyone

Just about everyone has them at all times. Whether you’re using one because you’re passionate about photography, or just taking a selfie on your smartphone, it’s hard to go a day without using a camera. We also celebrate how far the camera has come. What was once a large and bulky device is now small enough to fit into your pocket, or even customized to fit your personal need.

With cameras being used so much, and selfies evolving into an act of everyday life for many it’s hard to imagine life without constant access to a camera. From Kodak’s very first model to the shooters in today’s latest smartphones, cameras have played a special role in society that affects everyone. Sure, we all have them in our phones and tablets and computers now, and that whole mysterious process of having film developed and prints made has given way to the instant gratification of digital photos.

How to observe

You’ve probably heard the saying, “a picture is worth a thousand words.” What better way to celebrate National Camera Day than to get out and capture the perfect image of someone or something you enjoy and cherish. Share the picture you took on any photo-sharing social website with the hashtag #NationalCameraDay, and watch all other photographs posted by people across the world!

Here is a list of things you can do to get your creative juices flowing for photography:

Go shopping for a new camera (do we need an excuse to do this?!)
Join a local photography club
Buy a tripod (here are some recommendations)
Research the history of photography (and you thought I was gonna just give it to you!)
Take a picture of what you were doing today
Take your picture (selfie time!)
Take a picture of your workspace
Get out in Nature and capture some beauty
Take pictures of your kids, spouse/significant other, bestie, etc
Take a picture of the place you call home

“Photography is a way of feeling, of touching, of loving. What you have caught on film is captured forever… It remembers little things, long after you have forgotten everything.”
— Aaron Siskind

In honor of National Camera Day, get out your cameras or phones and snap a couple of memories today!