When Did Photography Become Something Quick?

The dawn of quick photography was quite specifically in 1888. Prior to this, taking photographs was more of a specialized endeavor, akin to commissioning a portrait painting. People would go to photographers' studios for sittings, knowing that the process involved careful, time-consuming procedures.

The Evolution of Photography: From Daguerreotype to Dry Plate

The transition to Daguerreotype took place in the 1830s, with the invention of a silver plate medium. However, the exposure times were lengthy, ranging from 3 to 15 minutes, adding to the cost and complexity of the process. Portraits often required people to sit still for several minutes, making it a lengthy affair.

With the wet-collodion process or wet plate photography, first invented in 1851 by Frederick Scott Archer, the game changed. This process involved coating glass plates with a mixture of gelatin and silver bromide, which required the photographer to prepare the plates just before use and develop them immediately. This improved sensitivity brought down the exposure times to 20 seconds to 5 minutes, making it more convenient for portrait sitters. Cameras were still typically mounted on tripods to keep them stable during such brief exposures.

Advancements in Sensitivity: The Dry Plate Process

In 1871, Dr. Richard L. Maddox invented the dry plate process, a significant development that coated glass plates with a gelatin and silver bromide mixture that could be used after drying. This innovation simplified camera usage, as the need for immediate preparation and rapid processing was eliminated. Further experimentation showed that heating the dry plates could increase their sensitivity, allowing for exposures in fractions of a second.

George Eastman and the Kodak Box Camera

The term snapshot was specifically coined by the users of the Kodak box camera shortly after its introduction. In 1888, it was George Eastman who found a way to coat the silver bromide mixture on paper and then film. This made it possible for the Kodak box camera to capture more portable and convenient shots. Eastman recognized the business potential in this new technology, which he democratized through accessible pricing and user-friendly features.

The original Kodak cost $25 and included a film roll supporting 100 shots and a leather case. The sales pitch was straightforward: "You press the button, we do the rest." Once the 100 shots were taken, the photographer would send the entire camera back to Kodak in Rochester, New York, along with $10. Kodak would then process the negatives, make prints, and return the reloaded camera.

This era marked the beginning of quick photography. The process had become accessible and affordable to the general public, transforming how people captured and shared images. The term "snapshot" is still used today, though it now connotes a photo taken without much composition or planning, reflecting the rapid and casual nature of modern photo-taking.