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Photography is one of the most important
inventions of the 19th century. Had this unique medium not been invented, our
world would be much darker than it is today. Let us not forget this fact and
let World Photography Day see the light!
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Today, every moment, we live photography. From research work to
entertainment, from documentation to creating stunning pictorial
works of art, photography is everywhere.
Most of us know that the first announcement of a
photograph was made on August 19th, 1839. This is well documented in
photography history books, encyclopedias, as well as in various articles
by authors of standing. To confirm authenticity of August 19th as the birth
of photography I quote here a few lines from some popular publications and also
some well known photographers.
1. Focal Encyclopedia: "The process was bought
by the French Government and given free to the world on August 19th, 1839. In a
brilliant speech before the members of the Academie des Sciences and Academie des
Beaux Arts, the technique was described in detail by Arago."
2. A Hundred Years of Photography by Lucia Moholy: "A Photographic method
was brought to the knowledge of French Chamber of Deputies on 19th August
1839 in a meeting of French Academy of Sciences."
3. A Pictorial History of Photography: "On 19 August 1839 details of the process
were made public. The news was greeted with a wave of excitement that swept through Paris."
4. PSA Journal article, Jan. 1989, 150 Years of Photography by Mr. George E. Helmke, FPSA: "Arago
on August 19, 1839, made the presentation to the French Academies des Sciences and Beaux Arts, which
described Daguerre's process; he discussed its evolution, predicted its brilliant future and
offered its free use to the world.
5. Mr. Tony Patti, FPSA, Chairman Historical Research Committee of PSA: "Regarding
plans to celebrate World Photography Day, I agree that photography is at least as
deserving as some of the widely celebrated 'such and such days' and more deserving
than most. You are to be commended for taking the initiative to give photography the
recognition it rightly deserves."
6. The late Mr. Wellington Lee, Hon. FPSA: "I wholeheartedly support the celebration
of August 19th as World Photography Day. I congratulate you on an activity the photographers
in the world will respect highly.
7. Mr. Alfred Jendroszek, Hon. PSA, FPSA, President, IIWF: "My opinion concerning World
Photography Day--It is really a great idea, I support this activity."
8. The late H. Lou Gibson, APSA, Head Technical Education Division Kodak--Rochester,
USA: "I highly appreciate your efforts to found a Photography Day."
9. Prof. Margaret Harker--Past President of RPS and History Chairman of the
Royal Photographic Society: "All my best wishes for the success of this proposal."
10. The late Mr. Dewitt Bishop, Hon. FPSA--Past President, Photographic Society of
America: "You have certainly stirred the water of interest with your concept of
World Photography Day. I wish you every success."
11. Mr. Herb Gustafson, Hon. PSA, FPSA: "In a concentrated effort to
establish permanent recognition status for photographers on historical
date August 19th, it is proposed the annual celebrations be designated as World Photography Day."
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