Photography can best be described as both an art and a science. The science of photography involves a process of capturing images by recording light. The device used in this process is called a camera which comprises of a lens which is the prime component. It is this lens which is used to capture light which has been reflected or omitted from objects into image form that can be reproduced later on film or in digital format. The traditional camera created what is referred to as a negative image on film which is then developed into a positive image on paper. The modern day camera however captures the image in a digital image file format which can then be transferred onto a computer and later printed.

There is some dispute as to who first came up with the word photography. Some experts say that it was Sir John Herschel who in his lecture to the Royal Society of London in 1839 first introduced the word photography. However a German newspaper published an article stating that a German astronomer by the name of Johann von Maedler has used the word photography already. In any case the word is derived from the Greek words which mean Light (photos) and representation by means of lines or drawing (graphy). Together these words refer to the process of drawing using light.

Photography has a number of applications in the world of business and commerce. The term commercial photography is used when a photographer is paid for the images he/she has captured. The commercial applications of photography include advertising in which businesses use images of products to promote those products. These images are then displayed in newspapers, magazines, websites and boards and banners to create customer interest and increase sales volumes. We often forget about how these images surround us as we continue to go about our daily lives. In fact there are often so many images around us that we often ignore many of them as they tend to distract us while we go about our daily lives.

Similarly in the world of fashion and design photographs of models wearing the latest designer clothes are captured and used to promote these designer brands. Cosmetic companies adopt the same approach with models seen using the company’s products.

Aside from commercial applications photography is used by the police in solving crime. We’ve all seen the popular television series CSI and how the police always take pictures of the crime scene. These images allow the police to study the crime scene over and over again. They allow the police to share these images with other experts and consultants who can provide key insights into the probable cause of the crime. Finally these images form crucial evidence which is used in courts to convict the culprits.

Another popular use of photography involves taking images of wildlife. These images are then used by magazines such as National Geographic. These images allow us to see animals that we could perhaps have never seen, even in a zoo (very few zoo’s have the capacity to house a blue whale). Furthermore these images are used in the scientific study of animals. And there are countless more applications which show just home important photography has become to modern societies.