Introduction
In the last hundred and twenty years, photography has developed immensely. The beginnings of this development are shown in the styles of black-and-white photos and their evolution into modern-day color photography. Broadly stated, black-and-white photography is an artistic interpretation of how one imagines the world should look. This sort of artwork transcends mere color and technique to portray the very essence of what the photograph depicts, making it the pinnacle of creative expression. Black-and-white photography stems back to a more intimate era in which tales were shared visually and verbally (Jhally 75). In ancient times, black and white photography was used in European paintings, Japanese woodblock prints, and shadows of Chinese scrolls (Ch’en 104). The purpose of this paper is to discuss the history of black and white photography, beginning with the earliest forms of photography and moving up to the digital age.
Black and White Photography Influences on Events
Black and white photography is one of history’s most influential art forms. It has been used to document events, create propaganda, and change public opinion. One of the most powerful examples is the way black and white photography changed how people perceived the world around them (Jhally 98). When it was first invented, black-and-white photography was primarily used for scientific purposes. Scientists were able to capture images of things that were previously impossible to see, like the interior of bodies and microscopic organisms. This allowed them to study these things in detail without having to handle or cut open an actual specimen. They could also compare different samples side-by-side, which helped them understand how they were similar and different.
Scientists quickly realized that black and white photography could also be used to document events at the time, not just static objects like plants and animals. They began using cameras on battlefields so they could capture images of soldiers who had been killed in combat (Jhally 101). These black-and-white photographs made it possible for families back home to see what their loved ones looked like after death. It comforted them, knowing what happened when a soldier was killed suddenly in battle without warning.
In addition, photographers also realized they could use their cameras as tools for political protest. They began photographing demonstrations against slavery and other forms of injustice. For instance, in 1851, black and white photography was used to document the Crimean War (Jhally 130). The Times of London sent Photographer Roger Fenton on assignment to cover the war (Jhally 148). He took what was called “scoops” of soldiers in camp and at the battle, as well as landscapes that were shot from a bird’s eye view (Jhally 150). His images were so shocking to Victorian sensibilities that they were deemed inappropriate for publication in newspapers. However, after he died in 1869, Fenton’s work was published as a book titled “The Crimea.” (Jhally 164). This book helped establish photography as an art form rather than an amateur hobby.
Overall, black and white photography has shaped how people see the world, remember their pasts, and share them with others. It has changed history by allowing people to preserve moments that might have been lost or forgotten. It has altered people’s perception of reality by showing them what was happening at any given time in history—even things that happened long before anyone could have seen them with their own eyes. This makes black and white photography so powerful—it allows people to experience something they would never otherwise have access to, and it will enable them to keep those experiences safe for future generations.
Photography of the West’s Influences on Congress
In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, photographers traveled through the American West with cameras, capturing images of what they saw. They were drawn to the landscape, unlike anything they had ever seen. These photographers did not just travel through the West for fun; they were also there to document it for posterity (Ch’en 113). They wanted to preserve these scenes so future generations could look back at them and see what life was like in this rugged, beautiful part of America (Ch’en 113). These photographers’ black and white photographs were sent back east and displayed publicly at museums and galleries throughout New York City and other major cities in America. These black and white photographs were trendy among people who lived in big cities like New York City because the landscapes looked so different from what people had seen before; it was like traveling through another world.
As a result of all this attention, the black-and-white photography of the West influenced congress to create the national parks by showing them that there were beautiful places out West that needed to be protected. The black and white photographs showed congress that these beautiful places were disappearing rapidly; if they did not do something about it soon, they would be gone forever (Ch’en 113). Another way black and white photography of the West influenced congress to create the national parks is by showing them what they could do with those areas once they were protected. The black-and-white photography showed congress how beautiful these areas were and how much potential they had for growth and development. It also showed them how much money they could make off those areas if they were adequately developed.
The final way black and white photography of the West influenced congress to create the national parks was by showing them what could happen if those areas were not protected. It showed them how quickly nature could take over a place after humans had left it alone for so long. It also showed congress how quickly these areas could become damaged if humans tried to intervene too early without understanding its natural growth cycle first.
Images of Migrant Workers during the Great Depression
The Great Depression was a time of great hardship for many people in the United States. Many people lost their jobs, and many more could not find work. The stock market crash of 1929 had a significant impact on the country, but it was not the only thing that contributed to the state of affairs at this time (Ch’en 115). When people think about the Great Depression, they often think about images of migrant workers who were forced to leave their homes due to drought and dust storms that rendered their farms useless. These images helped support President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s New Deal policies, which helped stabilize the economy and make life easier for those struggling during this period (Ch’en 124). Further, the images of migrant workers during the Great Depression helped pass the “New Deal” because they provided a visual reminder of how dire and desperate working conditions had become for many Americans.
These pictures, paired with reports from journalists and other observers, helped convince many Americans that the government needed to take action to help these people. President Roosevelt’s New Deal included many policies to help those who had lost everything during this time. One such approach was called “social security,” which provided unemployment insurance benefits for those who lost their jobs during this period elsewhere (Klein 75). They could still provide for themselves while looking for work elsewhere without worrying about how they would pay bills or feed their families while searching for new employment opportunities.
Another New Deal policy that helped migrant workers was the Resettlement Administration. It was created in 1935 to help poor communities find work and improve their quality of life (Klein 75). The Resettlement Administration hired photographers to document how poor people lived during this period, and those images were used to educate people about the realities of poverty. These images helped convince many Americans that something needed to be done about poverty and unemployment during this period.
The Artistic Movements of the Industrial Revolution to Today
The industrial revolution was a time of significant change in the world and also changed art. During this time, artists tried to find new ways to express themselves and their culture. The art movements that developed during this time are still important today because they influenced the art that came after them. One such movement was realism, which focused on realistic depictions of people, places, and things. It was most popular between 1820-1870 (Barr 94). Realist painters wanted their paintings to be more natural than previous artists who used less realistic styles. Realists believed that art should accurately represent reality as closely as possible so that viewers could connect emotionally.
The second movement was Pictorialism, which started around 1860 and lasted until 1890 (Skilton 66). The action was characterized by soft focus, exaggerated lighting effects, and an emphasis on staged photography. The goal of many Pictorialists was to create images with an emotional impact rather than strictly documentary or informational ones. In this way, they were similar to impressionist painters who wanted viewers to feel what they saw rather than understand it intellectually.
Futurism and Cubism were two other early artistic movements that influenced black-and-white photography. Futurism began around 1909 and lasted until World War I; Cubism started around 1907 and lasted until 1914, although some aspects were still being practiced into the 1920s (Barr 101). The movements emphasized experimentation with perspective and color. It led artists to experiment with how light could be used in their work—including using it as part of their compositions rather than just as a secondary element behind their subject matter.
Advances in Black and White Photography
In the past, there have been many advances in black-and-white photography. The first image was created in 1839, but it took another 50 years to realize that it could be captured on a photographic plate (Rancière 53). This discovery produced authentic black-and-white photographs that were not just monochromatic. In 1861, an inventor named Louis Daguerre perfected the technique for capturing images on a silver-coated copper plate, known as a daguerreotype (Barr 180). This process produced high-quality images that were sharp and detailed. Unfortunately, these photos could only last about ten years before they faded unless they were somehow preserved with chemicals or other methods.
In recent years, several advances have been made in black-and-white photography, allowing photographers to create better-quality images. The invention of Kodak’s cellulose nitrate film in 1889 changed everything (Skilton 127). Now photographers can work quickly and easily without worrying about wasting precious materials or having too much light ruin their exposures. It allowed them to take more risks with their shots, which led to more significant innovation in their work and increased accessibility for everyday people who wanted to learn about photography themselves.
Another advance is the development of Color Negative Film, which has been around since 1935. Still, it was not until recently that it became widely available and affordable enough for amateur photographers. Professional photographers use this type of film because it allows them to manipulate color information after exposure (Rancière 88). They can also change the color balance by adjusting their camera settings after taking the image. In addition, Digital cameras are now so standard that many people do not realize how much better they are than traditional film cameras when capturing black-and-white photos. Digital cameras offer several benefits over traditional film cameras, including faster processing times, lower cost per photo and greater control.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the evolution of black and white photography is awe-inspiring. Over time, methods for developing and viewing black-and-white films changed considerably. The chemicals become more effective, the cameras become more advanced, and the photographers become better at what they do. Indeed, there are a lot of parallels between black-and-white film photography today and digitally-shot black-and-white digital photography. New tools like Photoshop and Lightroom allow the photographer to control their photos like an old-school photographer could master their fixed-film camera. Thus, though it may sometimes be easy to forget when people view some older pieces of artwork, the history of photography is not so much about one kind of technology being replaced with another. It is about one kind of tool continually changing to keep up with technological innovations.
Overall, this creative art form has brought to light the world as we see it and continues to bring a varied perspective on what could have been missed with color photography. As a photographer looking to break out of the limitations of color, black and white will capture one’s artistic appreciation for being human. With its popularity continuing to increase, people can only expect this timeless art form to continue being loved for years and years to come.
Works Cited
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Ch’en, Jerome. China and the West: Society and culture, 1815–1937. Routledge, 2018. Web.
Jhally, Sut. Enlightened racism: The Cosby Show, audiences, and the myth of the American dream. Routledge, 2019. Web.
Klein, Naomi. On fire: The (burning) case for a green new deal. Simon & Schuster, 2020. Web.
Rancière, Jacques. The future of the image. Verso Books, 2019. Web.
Skilton, Mark, and Felix Hovsepian. The 4th industrial revolution. Springer Nature, 2018. Web.