The word photography is derived from the words of Greek origin: phos (light) and grafis (writing), which means to write or draw with light. Photography is the technique of capturing permanent images with a camera, through the photochemical action of light or other forms of radiant energy, to later reproduce them on special paper.
The first experiments in photography came at the end of the 18th century, only professionals could use the cameras that in those times were large and heavy, and by the 20th century they were accessible to the general public, portable and instant cameras emerged, in addition the black and white color of the photos became colored. Today, there are the well-known digital cameras, which with the help of the computer, images can be easily obtained.
Every camera has a camera obscura, which is a rectangular box with a single hole through which light enters. The image is reflected on the surface opposite the hole, on a glass lens, which makes what we have captured much sharper, clearer. Subsequently, said image is fixed on the photographic film and prepared for development.
The photographer is the professional person who gives artistic value to photography, by selecting the subject and controlling the lighting, framing, distance, angle, arrangement of objects and other expressive elements typical of photography.
Today, photography plays an important role as an information medium, as an instrument of science and technology, as an art form and a popular hobby. With it we can collect special moments and leave it fixed for a long time; sciences such as astronomy, atomic physics, nuclear physics, quantum physics, quantum mechanics rely on photography for their studies; and the written press uses it as an information medium.
With regard to art, photography serves as an auxiliary to artistic works, although its function is technical. Its quality depends on the preparation, sensitivity and creativity of the photographer, to give aesthetic value to his creation. Within photography, considered as art, we can highlight documentary photography (based on political and social issues, observation of reality, etc.); and the scenographic and esthetician, very close to the language of painting.
It should be noted that high technology allows the digitization of photos using a scanner and the sending of a photographic image to any part of the world using fiber optics, artificial satellites and the computer.
