For Photo History Lovers: "10 Images That Changed the World"

This is a shout out to all photo history lovers.  Blogger Becky Patterson explores 10 images (mostly photographs) that illustrate key times in history, one image of which is held by the Smithsonian Institution's National Portrait Gallery.  The following exert taken from: Become a Photographer. Thanks for the great read Becky, and readers I hope you enjoy!

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10 Images That Changed the World

Man’s harboring of fire, the first printed book, a route to the New World, and invention of thousands of devices have shaped the world in ways unimaginable. And it was only able to be captured accurately less than 200 years ago. Artists, writers, and historians can try to be as truthful as possible, but only a camera is capable of 100% pure objectivity.

To help see the world as it was back then and even get amazing looks at it now, we have gathered ten images that changed the world. Including many well-known photographs, there are also many lesser known, the stories behind them, and one that even changes the way we will see the universe from now on.

1. The First Photograph In 1824, Joseph Nicéphore Niépce took the first official photograph: a view from his window in Le Gras, a country house in France. Fascinated with the art of lithography, Joseph was never able to draw well and began studying how images could be copied. Using many instruments including the camera obscura, a pewter plate, lens, and more, the photograph took about eight hours to take. After the photography craze of the 1830’s, the First Photograph slipped into obscurity, until it was discovered by Helmut Gernsheim. He followed the clues as to its origins, purchased it, and it now hangs in the University of Texas at Austin. 

2. First President to be Photographed Taking office in 1825, John Quincy Adams was the first American president ever photographed. The son of second president John Adams. John Quincy Adams saw first-hand the beginnings of the American Revolution and lived to see his country expand from 13 colonies to a world superpower. After his presidency, he became well known as one of the leading advocates for the emerging abolitionist movement. His picture still hangs at the National Portrait Gallery of the Smithsonian Institution.

3. Lincoln at Gettysburg Although the words “four score and seven years ago” were only heard the one time, the impact of the man who spoke them, along with his accomplishments changed the world. This small photo was taken at the Dedication Ceremony in November of 1863. Lincoln himself is pictured in the center without his trademark stovepipe hat. Other members of his cabinet are also pictured.

Finish reading all 10 Images that Changed the World.

Rachael Cristine Woody 

Archivist

Freer Gallery of Art and Arthur M. Sackler Gallery Archives

woodyr@si.edu