Changing the World One Photograph at a Time

It's easy to forget all the uses of photography.  People tend to forget that with all the entertainment shots taken by the paparazzi and the high importance we place on celebrities and athletes that photography plays a much larger role in society. For instance, just a few examples of how photography is used includes for surveillance, medical diagnosis and studying populations.

The reason photography became so popular when dealing with celebrities dates back to the 19th century with carte de visites, or visiting cards. Many people in the early 19 century began getting portraits of themselves and their families after the invention of photography. These photographs were then placed upon calling cards, often by the middle and upper class that became known as a carte de visite. The most desirable of these carte de visites were those of famous people such as the British Royal Family and American General George Custard.  

Those carte de visites played a major role in the development of celebrities in the upcoming centuries. What was once a simple calling card developed into numerous magazines and newspapers covering the lives of our society's most famous citizens. However, although this form of photography brings us the entertainment we desire in today's society, their are much more important uses of photography the purely for celebrity reasons.

We also use photography to watch over our prison systems and streets to make sure illegal actions are taking place. We use photography to check for disease within people or to check on our teeth.  And, we use photography to better understand various cultures and societies around the world.

Even though people primarily consider photography as a means of entertainment, it has advanced our society in ways many people seem to forget. Photography has helped change and improve the lives of people since its invention back in the early 19th century.    
 


Discussion Questions to Ponder:

1) Without the invention of photography would we be able to reach the scientific accomplishments we have in the past few centuries?

2) In what ways have the carte de visite changed over time? In what ways have they stayed the same?