World Photography Day
World ObservancesWhat Is World Photography Day?
August 19 is "World Photography Day," commemorating the day in 1839 when the French government purchased the patent for the daguerreotype photographic process and released it to the world free of charge.
An Invention That Became a Way to Record the World
The daguerreotype was an early photographic process developed by Frenchman Louis Daguerre. By purchasing the patent and releasing it freely, the French government ensured photography became a technology available to people everywhere, rather than remaining the property of a single inventor.
- Origin: Commemorates the French government's purchase and free release of the daguerreotype patent on August 19, 1839
- The technology: The daguerreotype, an early photographic process developed by Louis Daguerre
- Modern reach: Has become an established occasion on social media, where people worldwide share photos using the hashtag #WorldPhotographyDay
An Era Where Everyone Can Be a Photographer
With the spread of smartphones, taking photos has become effortless for nearly everyone. On World Photography Day, contests and events are held around the globe, offering a chance to reflect on the enduring appeal of photography as a form of expression.
How to Spend Today
- Share one of your favorite photos on social media
- Learn about the history of photography and the daguerreotype
- Take a photo from an angle you don't usually try
- Look back through a family photo album
A Single Photograph, Connecting the World
World Photography Day looks back on the history of a technology that has connected memories and expression across the globe. On August 19, pick up a camera and capture an ordinary moment worth remembering.