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Virtual reality is an immersive experience that involves multiple senses, and, most importantly, responds to the intentional interaction of the viewer. From the earliest days of synchronized film and sound playback, the illusion of being in a different place or time, and generating an emotional response to the experience, has been the goal of most modern communication and entertainment mediums.

In VR, this illusion is referred to as 'presence,' where not only the sights and sounds (and other sensory input) are believable, but the 'show' itself reacts to the participant's actions in a plausible way.

It isn't hard to imagine how different the experience of browsing through a gallery of images can be when they are not just thumbnails on a tight grid, but rather 'virtually' hung by the artist in a spacious VR room that mimics a physical gallery space. VR video adds the active immersion of being in the middle of a busy plaza, or riding inside a rally car during a nighttime ice race. The opportunities to share even simple, daily events become less about what was in the frame at the time, and more about what the whole location felt like.

Semantics

First, let's get some semantics out of the way. 'Virtual reality,' or VR, has generally been applied to 3D computer-generated graphics. There are some who say that anything that starts with a camera pointed at the real world is not VR. This ignores some of the history of VR (see below), as well as the coincidence that interactive panoramic images and videos on the web are displayed as textures on the inside of a 3D cube (or sphere, in some cases). There are also ways to create realistic 3D data from photographs, and from spherical panoramas in particular, both of which currently offer greater realism than 3D graphics created without the aid of photography.

While we could separate photography from 3D graphics by dogmatically referring to 360 x 180-degree images as 'spherical panoramas,' and try to demarcate 2D/3D hybrid technologies as 'not photography,' this would be unfair. Therefore, this article will still refer to VR as both an immersive experience, and something that a camera can capture.

This primer will touch on the various technologies and companies involved in VR, but the underlying theme is on how conventional photography and cinematography influence VR, and how VR will influenced them in return.

History of VR

The term 'virtual reality' was originally coined (in French) by Antonin Artaud in his 1938 essays on the nature of theatrical performances, so it's rather fitting that the first functional VR experience, Sensorama, was conceived and patented (in 1957) by cinematographer Morton Heilig. In 1961, Heilig also patented a head-mounted, stereoscopic display system. While these inventions relied on pre-recorded films with very limited interaction, they introduced the concept of a viewer being immersed in a different environment; including the sights, sounds, smells and even windspeed of the environment being represented.

Though the entirely analog Sensorama never really took off, the concept of immersion was a core aim for early computer-generated 3D graphics. Most pioneering modern VR development was focused on military and aerospace training, where it is much safer, easier, and ultimately cheaper, to teach someone how to react to difficult situations in a virtual environment. The first 3D VR displays showed only glowing wireframes against a black screen (a la Battlezone), while the physical surroundings mimicked a real cockpit or driver's seat, complete with hydraulics to pitch the cabin during the experience.

In the 1980's and early 90's, the increasing visual fidelity of real-time computer graphics (driven both by industrial and entertainment uses) promised more realistic virtual environments, and the first wave of hype for consumer VR built up, entering popular culture with arcade entertainment like the Virtuality systems, and creative works like Neuromancer and The Lawnmower Man.

Recent times

Once this wave of hype broke on the shores of limited computing power, minimal content, and vaporware consumer displays (anyone remember SegaVR?), the relevant technology continued to advance in a consistent, but much quieter, fashion. Real-time 3D computer graphics progressed from plasticky representations on expensive workstations, to the increasing visual realism of PC and console games. In 1994, Apple introduced QuickTime VR as a very simple, portable way to display panoramic content with the freedom to look around, and this extension of QuickTime quickly became known for real estate 'virtual tours' and other early forms of photography-based VR on a computer.

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In 2003, Linden Labs created Second Life, an entirely virtual 'social world' in which users could interact using human-looking avatars within an entirely synthetic, and user expandable, 3D world. Connecting people via the internet was not new, nor did Second Life initially support VR headsets with stereoscopic rendering, but this remains a good example of a successful shared 'virtual reality', in the original theatrical sense.

The 2007 introduction of Google Street View democratized the idea of spherical panoramic imagery (360 x 180 degrees of coverage) to immerse a viewer in various locations in the real world. This blending of photographic content with geographic data has broadened consumer acceptance of photographic VR, while the 2014 introduction of Google Cardboard (an inexpensive way to turn a modern smartphone into a VR headset) allows this vast amount of panoramic data to be viewed in a more natural, immersive way.

The new hype of modern VR

Recent advancements in consumer electronics have reinvigorated virtual reality and given it new vigor, as well as inspiring new generations of researchers, entrepreneurs, and content creators. The ever-increasing computing power and screen resolutions of smartphones, combined with their built-in gyroscopes and accelerometers (useful for head tracking), have made these ubiquitous devices almost ideal for repurposing as a viewer for VR games, images, and video.

Combining a phone with the simple mechanics of a Google Cardboard-type viewer, VR photos, apps and games (as well as New York Times articles) means that VR content can be appreciated by a wider audience.

Prior to Cardboard, most attempts at making a smartphone into a viewing platform were limited to stereographic toys, without enough software and hardware polish to make it a good experience. Samsung changed this by partnering with Oculus to produce the (currently $99) Gear VR headset, which is more than just a pair of lenses and a phone holder. Gear VR has its own accelerometers and gyroscope, as well as a USB connected control-pad, while Oculus provides a content store and software to enhance the experience. All of this pushes accessibility up from the bottom.

The same technology from smartphones has driven down the component cost of higher-end systems for virtual reality and augmented reality (AR), leading to consumer-level, dedicated, head-mounted displays like the Oculus Rift and HTC Vive, and extensions to game consoles like Playstation VR. While the initial adoption of these systems may be mainly with hard-core gamers and technophiles, the experiences and content being developed for these systems can be more ambitious and immersive, which in turn will draw more users to the hardware. The VR ecosystem is spreading rapidly, and spherical VR photos and videos are frequently the first experience most consumers will have.

Follow the money

Recent years have seen explosive growth in terms of business investments into VR, from the display systems (Facebook buying Oculus for $2 billion in 2014), to content creation (Nikon and Samsung have recently announced consumer 360 cameras, and Ricoh is on v.3 of theirs), while various VR startups raised over $658 million in funding just in the past year. The established games industry has already spent millions of dollars preparing for the 3D VR gaming revolution, which many analysts now say is no longer an 'if' proposition, but rather a 'when.'

Consulting and auditing firm Deloitte has predicted that the VR market (for content and devices) will hit $1 billion in sales during 2016 alone. Meanwhile, the games and VR consulting firm Digi-Capital goes even further to say that by 2020, the virtual reality and augmented reality markets will be worth around $120 billion. These market predictions are not based on advances in research labs and high-end applications, but rather from the groundswell of video game and mobile technology, along with increasingly diverse content.

As Alexandre Jenny, the Senior Director of Immersive Media at GoPro, puts it; "We are no longer wondering 'will VR change the world,' we are in the stage of 'how will VR change the world?' VR is certainly the best way to give someone an immersive experience, and that fact is really disruptive in many industries."

Commercial applications

Aside from research and purely artistic uses of VR (both of which have a long and fruitful history), there are numerous commercial applications for virtual reality, and many more are being developed as the tech progresses. Below are just a few examples.

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Primer: What is VR, and why should photographers care?

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Virtual reality is an immersive experience that involves multiple senses, and, most importantly, responds to the intentional interaction of the viewer.

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Discussion on mixed reality, demonstrating the use of AR and VR devices on the mixed reality spectrum.

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Donohoe, Ashley (2008, March 23).

How Much Would a Typical Photographer Make?

https://work.chron.com/much-would-typical-photographer-make-3303.html

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Rather than just taking the pictures, photographers often edit and print photos for their clients.

Photographers are creative professionals who capture photos of people, things and places in a memorable way for personal use or use in the media. Some examples of their work include making school photographs, capturing art for a museum, taking shots of houses for a real estate firm and photographing people for magazine covers. If you have an eye for detail and design, and you're comfortable using photography equipment and computers, then you may enjoy using your skills as a professional photographer working for a company or running your own business. The high level of self-employment for photographers makes it a flexible career if you want to spend time with your family since you can have a lot of control over your work schedule.

Job Description

Having an eye for design, photographers take pictures of events, people, locations or objects and use their expertise to enhance those pictures. Whether taking pictures of an event for a newspaper or a couple at a wedding, photographers work to get the most out of the setting and use lighting techniques and creativity to make their pictures aesthetically pleasing. Much of their work involves using a digital camera along with digital storage devices, printers, computers and sometimes even drones. Working with and photographing people and their surroundings is common, and this requires having strong interpersonal and customer service skills. Being able to carry your equipment around for long periods of time and work in sometimes uncomfortable work environments outdoors is helpful, especially if your position requires shooting at different locations or traveling.

Education Requirements

Taking photography classes or completing a bachelor's degree in photography is a common step for aspiring photographers. Some positions may not require formal education, especially for the self-employed, but learning how to use photography equipment and software and becoming familiar with techniques for taking photos is beneficial. Additional training happens on the job as photographers practice and get experience while learning what techniques work well for their photos. Instead of working on their own, new photographers may begin their careers as assistants to get this additional training and build their portfolio to show future clients or employers. Photographers who want to use drones need to meet requirements from the Federal Aviation Administration to get certification for commercial drone operations.

As of May 2016, the typical median photographer salary is $34,070 annually, where half of the photographers are paid less and half are paid more. Those in the lower 10 percent make under $19,110, and those in the top 10 percent get paid over $76,220. Earning $69,370 on average, photographers working in the motion picture industry get the highest salary. In contrast, the average salary is $38,660 in the most common industry for photographers, the professional services industry.

Industry

Photographers work wherever and whenever they're needed to take photos, whether inside or outside the country. While some work for newspapers, broadcasting companies or photo studios, the majority are self-employed and travel to clients' locations as needed. They may work in schools, homes, event venues, offices or outdoor locations, and working from an aircraft is common for aerial photographers. A photographer's schedule can vary by time of year due to when clients plan events or when news stories happen, so working long hours and at different times of the day is a possibility. Freelance photographers have the most flexible hours since they can set when and for how long they're available for events, so this kind of work can appeal to people with families more than full-time commercial or news photographer positions.

Years of Experience

How much money photographers make depends on their skills, any commission or bonuses offered, type of position, work environment and years worked. As of March 2018, your salary (including profit sharing, commission and bonuses) as a photographer may change from when you first start out until you're late in your career like below:

Job Growth Trend

As it has become easier for people to take their own photos on their phones and cameras or to use stock images from the internet, a six percent employment decline for professional photographers between 2016 and 2026 is expected. However, employment prospects are better for self-employed photographers at 12 percent. Photographers who specialize in drone photography can also expect better prospects as customers demand their services for special events and aerial images of real estate. Since the field is competitive, considering freelance work and learning to record video and edit images can improve job prospects.

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How Much Would a Typical Photographer Make?

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Photographers are creative professionals who capture photos of people, things and places in a memorable way for personal use or use in the media. Some examples of their work include making school photographs, capturing art for a museum, taking shots of houses for a real estate firm and photographing people for magazine covers.

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Whether you're brand new to photography, or want to learn some new tips, this is your hub for photography tips and insights.

We'll be covering the following topics (click on a bullet point to jump to that section):
Photography is the art of capturing and processing light using a sensor or film. But the essence of photography is to treasure moments and share them with the world. Quite simple, but the action itself is capable of changing people's perceptions.
A photo can have a deeper meaning and tell thousand important stories. One of the best examples is photos taken during the war.

There are many eye-opening photos circulated during the war.

Some photos snap the winners' glorious moment while the others show the utter devastation of citizens caught in the crossfire.
But that's not all, folks; photography also has the nature of having multiple interpretations, especially in modern photography and art.
Everyone has their own "hot take" when it comes to judging an image. Some see the bigger "picture," while others take it as an analogy to life, transforming it into those "wise" quotes.

As you widen your knowledge about photography, aesthetics, and techniques, you can unveil even more meaning behind a single photograph.

What Is the Purpose of Photography?
In the past, photography's purpose was to supply portraits for people who could not afford paintings.
During War, photographs enable people to grieve and remember their family members who passed away on the battlefield.

Lovers can also use a photograph to soothe the suffocating pain of missing their loved ones on a cold night.
As time goes by, photography serves more diverse purposes. You can see this with all the different niches of photography.
Product photography is based around the sole purpose of selling a product such as food. The photographer should make every item of food and beverages look shinier, mouth-watering, and more delicious than its competitors.

Meanwhile, portrait photography aims to tell a story about an individual's identity, personality, and story.

This style is divided into several more types, such as lifestyle portraits, street portraits, and many more, each of them has a different purpose.

For hobbyist photographers and regular people, photography is a way to document meaningful moments in life-memories stored indefinitely in a picture, which you can look back at easily anytime.

What Are the Different Types Of Photography?

There are over 60 different types of photography, but we will only describe the most common ones. Here is a brief explanation of the 13 most common photography styles along with their respective resource hub.

We will be adding to this list as we build out our guides.

Be sure to also check out our guide on different photography niches to decide on which one to pick.

1. Portrait Photography
This is by far the most popular photography style. We can easily find it on someone's social media profile pictures or the dull driver's license photo.
Everyone in any setting can be the subject of portrait photography; from your family at home, friends in school, co-workers in the office, and even yourself. You can shoot your subject either posed, candid or close-ups.

Even though this style looks super simple to do, some photographers struggle to shoot a good one.

The common reason is they cannot make the subject feel comfortable to pose in front of the camera. Therefore, the subject looks awkward and unnatural.

When shooting a portrait, keep in mind that your subject is an ordinary human with a set of emotions and thoughts. Try to interact with them in the most relaxed manner to make them feel confident and show their true self.
To learn more, check out the resources in our Portrait Photography Hub:
2. Headshot Photography
Headshot photography focuses on a main subject, starting from their head to shoulders, with their preferred scenery as a backdrop.
Everyone is always in need of a high-quality headshot, whether it be for personal or professional reasons, so if you can master your headshot photography technique, you can make a great living as a photographer.

To learn more, check out the resources in our Headshot Photography Hub:
Fashion photography are those pictures you see in a fashion magazine or online shop.

This photography style has one sole purpose: making every fashion item aesthetically pleasing and appealing to its consumers. Furthermore, lure them into buying those items.

Fashion photographers should master a portrait photographer's skills, possess tons of creative ideas in the back of their head, and love to collaborate with stylists, creative directors, models, and other crew members.
The main goal of food photography is to promote the products and entice customers to buy them.
No matter how small or large the scale is, every food and beverage business will need this type of photography.

You will need a lot of money to build a career in this industry since professional food photography needs a studio and other special equipment. ( Check out a list of the b est cameras for food photography.)

It means that this industry is promising, especially in the age of the internet, just like now.

To learn more, check out the resources in our Food Photography Hub:

5. Editorial Photography
Editorial photography commonly uses in magazines or newspapers. This style refers to every image that sits alongside text.
The photo makes the reader understand more about the description of events, places, or stories that the writer tries to tell.

If you want to be an editorial photographer, you need a deeper understanding of the subject, composition, and advanced technique.

As a photographer, you should have a high sensitivity to know which angle or subject best represents the story that a writer writes.

6. Architectural Photography
The interior and exterior of buildings are the main subject of architectural photographers.
This style is particular because it only focuses on capturing the architectural beauty, which sometimes is hidden in plain sight.

This style aims to shoot the utmost detail of buildings and promote it to potential buyers. It is like product photography with a different subject.

7. Landscape Photography
Landscape photographers are the experts in capturing the beauty of Mother Nature. They often use higher-end cameras and tools to acquire the best photos.
The busy city full of working-class people in the day or glamorous urban nightlife can also be the landscape photography subject - it is known as a cityscape.

To learn more, check out the resources on our Landscape Photography Hub:
As the name implies, this type of photography focuses on capturing every exciting moment in an event, from a wedding, birthday celebration, family gathering, annual meeting in the office, and many more.
Event photographers' services are always in high demand. The average fee is around $200-280 but can be vary depending on how long your event held.

But do not worry too much because their rates are adjustable. It depends on your request, the event's location, and your personal preference that may require the photographer to use additional equipment or staff.
To learn more, check out the resources on our Event Photography Hub: Street photography is about capturing people, places, and cultures in a candid fashion.
A greet street photographer is one who can capture emotions and expressions while staying relatively inconspicuous.

There is nothing worse that sticking a camera in a stranger's face.
To learn more about street photography, check out the resources on our Street Photography Hub. As the name implies, sports photography focuses on capturing the live action of a sporting event. Whether it be actionable moments during the sport or the players within the sport.
Sports photography is an exciting genre of photography, especially if you are a fan of the sport you are photographing!
To learn more, check out the resources on our Sports Photography Hub:
11. Product Photography
Product photography focuses on products as the main subject, capturing the detail of the product and its features.
The products you photograph can vary from eCommerce items, to jewelry, to toys.
To learn more, check out the resources on our Product Photography Hub:
12. Wildlife Photography
Wildlife photography focuses on capturing images of the wildlife. Whether it's an eagle soaring through the sky, or a lioness and her cubs.
This type of photography can be dangerous, so make sure you come well prepared!
To learn more, check out the resources on our Wildlife Photography Hub:
13. Lifestyle Photography
Lifestyle photography is like a portrait photo, except it has the particular goal of capturing one's "lifestyle." The photographer captures the subject during these moments. Examples could include doing yoga, working at a desk, laughing with friends, working at a coffee shop, etc.
Ever since the prominence of social media people want to showcase their lifestyle to their friends and family.
To learn more, check out the resources on our Lifestyle Photography Hub:
What Do You Need for Photography?

I'd say that you will need a DSLR camera. But as a starter, you can use a smartphone because most of the newest series come with high camera specs.

Renting a DSLR or mirrorless camera from a nearby rental store can be another option to consider.
Nevertheless, before buying any camera or other equipment, you should decide which photography career you want to pursue.
Do you want to target a small niche? Or do you want to invent a brand-new photography style? By answering basic questions, you can decide which gear will support you best in this new career.

For example, buying a tripod and multiple lenses for landscape photography, investing in additional lighting will help those focusing on portrait photography.

As a beginner photographer, it is natural to make some mistakes. But do not fall into the same error twice.

From the basic to the professional level, you can learn everything about photography from thousands of online resources.
Even most tutorial videos, blog posts, books, and other information about photography on the internet are free (such as our guides).
Take your time to learn it all to avoid making silly mistakes.

Last but not least is practice. Try different settings, angles, lighting setup, and everything to understand how things appear on the camera. The more hours you spend practicing, the better you will become.

If you want to step up your game, invest your time to master editing skills using Adobe Photoshop and Lightroom. Post-processing can help you patch up the little mistakes that you made and even make your subject appear more stunning than before.

So, there's equipment, knowledge, and also practice in both production and post-production.

Being Technical and Creative in Photography
Technical skill and creativity work together like clockwork: without one another, your images would end up dull, unattractive, and senseless.
You need to understand camera settings, at least the three essential features: aperture, shutter speed, and ISO. Here is a brief info about them in a nutshell:

Aperture controls the focus of the image while controlling the amount of light received.

Shutter Speed helps you capture fast-moving subjects, and It also affects exposure.

ISO is a sensitivity that allows you to take pictures in various types of lighting.

We have a guide on each of these subjects and these three factors create the exposure triangle:

I will present a more profound explanation about those features in another blog post.

Some lens' are specially designed to produce specific effects better. For example, if you want the perfect bokeh effect, you can choose Sigma 35mm f/1.4 DG HSM ART Lens and the Minolta/Sony STF 135mm f/2.8 [T4.5].

But recently, some smartphones can imitate that bokeh effect almost perfectly. They are the Honor 9 Lite smartphone, Apple 7 plus, Samsung Galaxy Note 8, Google Pixel, etc.

Keep in mind to use all of your equipment to the fullest. Where is the best spot to put your lighting? When is the right time to change your lens? And many more. Your skill in operating your equipment will affect the result significantly.

It is also important to know photography composition and basic photography insights.

You can explore photography composition and the resources we have on that subject on our Photography Composition Hub:
You can explore photography insights and the resources we have on that subject on our Photography Composition Hub:
Starting a Photography Business

Once you have studied up on photography tips, composition, and have experience in the field you will also need to know how to start making money!

That requires business and marketing tips.

To learn more, check out the resources on our Photography Marketing Hub:

Photography Glossary and Terms

As you are on your photography journey, you will encounter a lot of terminology and slang.

It can be hard to keep track of so you can check out the most common photography terminology in our photography glossary.

To learn more, check out the terms on our Photography Glossary:

When Was Photography Invented?
The first permanent image was captured around 1830 in France in the hands of Joseph Nicephore Niepce.
This breakthrough created a ripple effect, and the rest is history.

Joseph Nicole then collaborated with Louis Daguerre to create the daguerreotype. It was the first commercial camera that "prints" images on a silver-plated copper.

But the names who popularized photography were talented figures such as Alfred Stieglitz, Dorothea Lange, Ansel Adams, and many more.

Alfred believed that everyone could use photography to express emotion and meaning, just like music and paintings. He also dissuaded landscape painters and made them go "spiral."

By introducing the photography industry, Alfred influenced painters to pursue and develop abstract painting styles.

To further explore the invention and history of photography, check out this in-depth video:

Why Is Photography Important?

Well, how important are your childhood memories for you? I have a soft spot for those old memories, and every photo of them induces a nostalgic feeling.
Photography has the power to "freezes" time, preserving the memory until the paper deteriorates.
Without photography, it will be hard to understand our history. We will not see the historical sites that once existed, old cultures, inventions, and other precious events that happened in the past.

A journalist uses photography to spread a message to the whole world, giving a chance to the minority to be seen and attracting people's attention to the neglected problems around them.

Photography has also become a new trending source of income for many. Their annual pay is undoubtedly affected by their portfolio, amount of experience, and reputation.

Photography means everything and anything for every person. The purpose is never fixed and continuously changes.

There are many types of photography out there, each constructed from the understanding of the basics.

If you want to start learning photography, do not think to buy an expensive camera first because your smartphone camera is enough. Sharpen your skill should be your primary goal.

The best photography tips I can give are to keep your discipline and enthusiasm high. Make sure that you learn and practice every single day. Then, you will see the results sooner than you think.

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What is Photography? Introduction to Photography

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Whether you're brand new to photography, or want to learn some new tips, this is your hub for photography tips and insights. We'll be covering the following topics (click on a bullet point to jump to that section): Photography is the art of capturing and processing light using a sensor or film.

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Table of Contents

history of photography, method of recording the image of an object through the action of light, or related radiation, on a light-sensitive material. The word, derived from the Greek photos ("light") and graphein ("to draw"), was first used in the 1830s.

This article treats the historical and aesthetic aspects of still photography. For a discussion of the technical aspects of the medium, see photography, technology of. For a treatment of motion-picture photography, or cinematography, see motion picture, history of, and motion-picture technology.

General considerations

As a means of visual communication and expression, photography has distinct aesthetic capabilities. In order to understand them, one must first understand the characteristics of the process itself. One of the most important characteristics is immediacy. Usually, but not necessarily, the image that is recorded is formed by a lens in a camera. Upon exposure to the light forming the image, the sensitive material undergoes changes in its structure, a latent (but reversed) image usually called a negative is formed, and the image becomes visible by development and permanent by fixing with sodium thiosulfate, called "hypo." With modern materials, the processing may take place immediately or may be delayed for weeks or months.

The essential elements of the image are usually established immediately at the time of exposure. This characteristic is unique to photography and sets it apart from other ways of picture making. The seemingly automatic recording of an image by photography has given the process a sense of authenticity shared by no other picture-making technique. The photograph possesses, in the popular mind, such apparent accuracy that the adage "the camera does not lie" has become an accepted, if erroneous, cliché.

This understanding of photography's supposed objectivity has dominated evaluations of its role in the arts. In the early part of its history, photography was sometimes belittled as a mechanical art because of its dependence on technology. In truth, however, photography is not the automatic process that is implied by the use of a camera. Although the camera usually limits the photographer to depicting existing objects rather than imaginary or interpretive views, the skilled photographer can introduce creativity into the mechanical reproduction process. The image can be modified by different lenses and filters. The type of sensitive material used to record the image is a further control, and the contrast between highlight and shadow can be changed by variations in development. In printing the negative, the photographer has a wide choice in the physical surface of the paper, the tonal contrast, and the image colour. The photographer also may set up a completely artificial scene to photograph.

The most important control is, of course, the creative photographer's vision. He or she chooses the vantage point and the exact moment of exposure. The photographer perceives the essential qualities of the subject and interprets it according to his or her judgment, taste, and involvement. An effective photograph can disseminate information about humanity and nature, record the visible world, and extend human knowledge and understanding. For all these reasons, photography has aptly been called the most important invention since the printing press.

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Inventing the medium

Antecedents

The forerunner of the camera was the camera obscura, a dark chamber or room with a hole (later a lens) in one wall, through which images of objects outside the room were projected on the opposite wall. The principle was probably known to the Chinese and to ancient Greeks such as Aristotle more than 2,000 years ago. Late in the 16th century, the Italian scientist and writer Giambattista della Porta demonstrated and described in detail the use of a camera obscura with a lens. While artists in subsequent centuries commonly used variations on the camera obscura to create images they could trace, the results from these devices depended on the artist's drawing skills, and so scientists continued to search for a method to reproduce images completely mechanically.

In 1727 the German professor of anatomy Johann Heinrich Schulze proved that the darkening of silver salts, a phenomenon known since the 16th century and possibly earlier, was caused by light and not heat. He demonstrated the fact by using sunlight to record words on the salts, but he made no attempt to preserve the images permanently. His discovery, in combination with the camera obscura, provided the basic technology necessary for photography. It was not until the early 19th century, however, that photography actually came into being.

Early experiments

Nicéphore Niépce, an amateur inventor living near Chalon-sur-Saône, a city 189 miles (304 km) southeast of Paris, was interested in lithography, a process in which drawings are copied or drawn by hand onto lithographic stone and then printed in ink. Not artistically trained, Niépce devised a method by which light could draw the pictures he needed. He oiled an engraving to make it transparent and then placed it on a plate coated with a light-sensitive solution of bitumen of Judea (a type of asphalt) and lavender oil and exposed the setup to sunlight. After a few hours, the solution under the light areas of the engraving hardened, while that under the dark areas remained soft and could be washed away, leaving a permanent, accurate copy of the engraving. Calling the process heliography ("sun drawing"), Niépce succeeded from 1822 onward in copying oiled engravings onto lithographic stone, glass, and zinc and from 1826 onto pewter plates.

In 1826/27, using a camera obscura fitted with a pewter plate, Niépce produced the first successful photograph from nature, a view of the courtyard of his country estate, Gras, from an upper window of the house. The exposure time was about eight hours, during which the sun moved from east to west so that it appears to shine on both sides of the building.

Niépce produced his most successful copy of an engraving, a portrait of Cardinal d'Amboise, in 1826. It was exposed in about three hours, and in February 1827 he had the pewter plate etched to form a printing plate and had two prints pulled. Paper prints were the final aim of Niépce's heliographic process, yet all his other attempts, whether made by using a camera or by means of engravings, were underexposed and too weak to be etched. Nevertheless, Niépce's discoveries showed the path that others were to follow with more success.

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history of photography | History, Inventions, Artists, & Events

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history of photography, method of recording the image of an object through the action of light, or related radiation, on a light-sensitive material. The word, derived from the Greek photos ("light") and graphein ("to draw"), was first used in the 1830s. This article treats the historical and aesthetic aspects of still photography.

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For any landscape photographer who prioritizes getting the money shot over serendipitously stumbling on a picturesque scene, using apps to predict the weather and to visualize an image is a foundational aspect of their workflow. While there are some incredibly useful apps out there, there isn't much that could beat being able to virtually travel to a location and time.

In this video, photographer and educator Blake Rudis of f64 Academy explores the amazing scouting opportunities that are possible with some affordable VR hardware and Google Earth. When we first saw VR technology hit the shelves, for many, the price-point and the then low number of applications available didn't warrant a headfirst dive into the new realm. However, as you'll see from this video, VR hardware is now at a very reasonable price and so might be worth investing in - even if it is just to explore the possibilities of the tech.

But while the Oculus Quest 2 - coming in at $299 at B&H - is certainly affordable, it's not the only piece of kit you'll need in order to virtually transcend space and time. You'll need to make sure that your computer has the specs to be able to handle such a task. This is something that you will need to research for yourself.

The benefits for all you dedicated and pedantic planners are amazing. Having the ability to be able to stand inside your potential scene just as the galactic core of the Milky Way is in the right place is something that could have only been dreamed of 10 years ago. Hopefully, some forward-thinking and creative photographers will be able to use this technology in a way that is yet to be imagined.

Have you tried using VR to scout locations?

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Scouting Landscape Photography Locations With Virtual Reality

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For any landscape photographer who prioritizes getting the money shot over serendipitously stumbling on a picturesque scene, using apps to predict the weather and to visualize an image is a foundational aspect of their workflow. While there are some incredibly useful apps out there, there isn't much that could beat being able to virtually travel to a location and time.

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With the AR/VR market set to touch almost 19 billion dollar in sales in 2020, including hardware and software, it is now clear that is increasingly and rapidly becoming a mass market, collecting the interest of consumers and professionals from many areas, from industry to architecture, from marketing to publishing.

The opportunity Augmented Reality offers to content creators is to provide an engaging way to explore traditional media, turning them into live contents, rather than just still ones.

This is especially true for Photographers: they use a lot of technology and digital tools in their work, but the final result is a static content, a picture, printed or digital.

In an effort to identify what they could do in order to offer more dynamic and interactive products, we analyzed a number of use cases related to their work, helping them to understand how they could surprise their clients and differentiate themselves from the crowd.

A Photographer, as well as a Video Maker, creates a lot of content, thus it is quite simple for them to create Augmented Reality products and services starting from what they already have. Some examples of what Photographers can do with the help of Augmented Reality include:

Immersive Photo Albums with Augmented Reality

Photographers use to create photo albums to collect all the photos of a specific event, be it a trip, a wedding party, a birthday or any other special occasion. Their photo albums are printed products that provide a traditional way of use: people browse them to look at the pictures.

But nowadays Photographers do much more than that. They shoot professional videos and even video clips with drones, or 360° photos and videos. Unfortunately such content cannot be included in a printed photo album and must be enjoyed separately on a computer, smartphone or smart TV.

Finally with Augmented Reality apps it is now possible to pack the entire experience into a device, typically a smartphone, enabling the visualization of slideshows, videos and 360°contents on printed photo albums. The product comes to life making the entire experience funnier and more satisfying.

Visualization of 360° Photos and Videos

Photographers who shoot panoramic and 360° photos and videos cannot use printed media to let their clients visualize that type of content. Of course you must use at least a smartphone in order to be able to properly view 360° content. Using an Augmented Reality platform, connected with a mobile app like AR-media Player, helps Photographers to easily create 360° content that their client can enable by simply scanning a picture they already have in their photo album or that has already been printed.

Photo Exhibitions with Augmented Reality

Making a photo exhibition more engaging is easy using an Augmented Reality app and platform. Each photo of the exhibition can be associated with additional multimedia content, making the visitor's experience more entertaining and rich.

Scanning a photo with an Augmented Reality app like AR-media Player, activates additional content like images, videos and 3D models.

How to upgrade your Photography business with AR-media

Augmented Reality can clearly help photography professionals to get more out of their work, bringing their photos and videos to life through a set of existing AR applications. AR provides a powerful way to surprise clients, stand out from the competition and sell higher margin services and products.

In this scenario AR-media is the ideal tool to build and publish Augmented Reality projects for Photographers, as it requires no coding skills and allows the user to create AR content with a visual, simple workflow.

Get a free AR-media account and start creating, you can rely on detailed tutorials and documentation available in the support section.

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What Photographers can do with Augmented Reality - Inglobe Technologies

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With the AR/VR market set to touch almost 19 billion dollar in sales in 2020, including hardware and software, it is now clear that is increasingly and rapidly becoming a mass market, collecting the interest of consumers and professionals from many areas, from industry to architecture, from marketing to publishing.

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What's it like to experience VR? See for yourself with the following examples - they can be viewed on most computers, tablets, or smart phones:

O ne of America's most spectacular national parks, Yosemite National Park in California, is presented in a remarkable online VR experience. Virtual Yosemite features over 350 locatilons photographed in high resolution, with more being added regularly. Enjoy your visits to: Virtual Yosemite!

Visit the interior of Antoni Gaudí's architectural masterpiece, the Basílica de la Sagrada Famíilia, in Barcelona, Spain - a UNESCO World Heritage site, and one of the most unusual temples / cathedrals in the world. The 360° interactive VR view can be experienced here.

Explore the interior of the Pantheon in Rome, Italy. The Pantheon is one of the best preserved ancient Roman buildings - originally commissioned before the birth of Christ, and was completed / dedicated around 126 AD by the emperor Hadrian. Its remarkable preservation is credited primarily to the fact that it's been in continuous use throughout its history.

Immerse yourself in a VR experience of the 2017 Great American Solar Eclipse, photographed sunrise to sunset on August 21, 2017 from a mountain top in central Idaho. Timeline hotspots allow you to select your view and observe the solar track throughout the day of the event.

Take an extensive virtual tour of the renowned Hiller Aviation Museum in San Carlos, CA.

Sit in aircraft cockpits, learn about the aircraft on display, and walk through both a Boeing 747 and a classic amphibious Grumman Albatross.

Click on information links to read details about most aircraft on display, or move from location to location throughout the museum.

You can also look over the shoulders of the crew in the Museum's acclaimed Restoration Shop, enter the full motion RedBird FMX Flight Simulator, or even browse the Museum's gift shop.

Or explore the peaceful solitude of Washington, DC's Thomas Jefferson Memorial at dawn. The Jefferson Memorial is one of Washington, DC's most popular toursit attractions, located next to the Tidal Basin of the Potomac River, but in this VR experience, you experience it without others present.

Soar Above San Carlos, CA on a low-level aerial virtual tour, created mostly with small aerial camera systems and remotely flown UAVs or drones.

Explore first class accomodations in a deluxe Garden Suite aboard a Norwegian Cruise Lines cruise ship.

Stand on the edge of Yosemite Falls in Yosemite National Park, the tallest waterfall in North America. Peer over the precipice at the dizzying vertical drop almost 2,500 feet below.

Visit the eerie Sedlec Ossuary, a Cistercian monastery where the bones of thousands of plague victims are interred in the Czech Republic.

Or perhaps experience the beauty and serenity of the Danube River at sunset, as it flows through the center of Budapest, Hungary.

Maybe you'll prefer a taste of Italy with a visit to the Leaning Tower of Pisa.

Consider a new perspective on The Future of VR - Is This All There Is? Observations and commentary by Virtual Reality Photography author Scott Highton (July, 2015). Read it here.

An in-depth look at production concerns and techniques for 360° video, also known as cinematic VR, presented by Scott Highton (January, 2015).
The 360° Video Conundrum - Cinematic VR Considerations can be read here.

Aerial photography via the use of small UAVs or "drones" is increasing in popularity. However, FAA certification is now required for commercial UAV work in the U.S.

VR Photography author Scott Highton is both a licensed FAA pilot, and also licensed for commercial work as a Remote Pilot for Small Unmanned Aircraft Systems under the FAA's new Part 107 regulations.

To see an example of how aerial 360° VR panoramas can be used to benefit a small Northern California community, see Scott's Above San Carlos web pages.

The second edition of our popular VR Photography Slate Book is still available. The latest version expands on the original with the addition of a large object photography technique description and tear out Photo and Property Release forms. For a full description, and to purchase online, click here.

Check your VR photography knowledge with a fun online test. Inspired by queries from our readers, we are pleased to present a 20 question challenge. How well can you do? Click here to give it a try.

Virtual Reality Photography, the acclaimed book by Scott Highton, is now also available through B&H Photo & Video, the world's leading retailer of imaging products. To order through B&H: click here.

A camera of choice for high-end VR photography, the Nikon D800 (and D810) is reviewed in-depth from a panoramic VR photographer's perspective. Read the extensive review here.

Virtual Reality Photography

by Scott Highton

Read the reviews!

Also Available:

VR Slate Book

Google PhotoTech and other Talks on Video

Scott Highton presented a lecture on Panoramic VR Photography at Google's corporate headquarters in October, 2007. The lecture was a part of Google's ongoing PhotoTech lecture series. The talk was recorded and is available for free public viewing online. Click here to view.

Click here to view.

Scott Highton also presented a free online webinar about VR Object Photography for Manfrotto's accalimed School for Xcellence. Manfrotto also published an accompanying interview with Scott. See it here.

The Business of VR Photography is an hour-long lecture that Scott presented to the International Panoramic Photography Conference at the University of California, Berkeley in 2007. Watch it here.

Scott also gave a presentation about Photographing VR in Difficult and Hostile Environments (with Jan van der Woning) at the Berkeley conference. A portion of Scott's presentation can be viewed here.

Scott's updated lecture on Virtual Reality Photography Business Practices was recorded at the 2012 International Panoramic Photography Conference in New York at B&H Photo Video. It can be viewed here.

Site Resources:

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Virtual Reality (VR) Photography - for panoramic, object, and interactive VR photographers

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Virtual Reality (VR) Photography - techniques, methods and information resource from pioneering VR photographer Scott Highton. Book and web site. Covers Photography Basics, Panoramas (cylindrical, cubic and spherical), Object Imaging and Business Practices. Articles, Ask the Experts, Case Studies, Technical Notes, Tutorials, Resources and Links. International resource for interactive multimedia photographic virtual reality imaging.