What is photography? It’s a deceptively simple question, but the answer runs much deeper than that. It’s a question that strikes deep at our hearts and souls, almost akin to asking “Why do we love music?” or “What joys can we find in life?” The answer is tricky because it’s subjective, it differs from person to person. There are many different things that can be considered photography. Even more tricky still is the question of what photography means to us.

An introduction to photography

Simply put, a photograph is just a perfect still image that is captured and printed onto paper. Photography is just the act of capturing light and transforming it into that still image. With this simple definition, photography seems to be straightforward, but there are a lot of other aspects at play here that makes it much more interesting than at first glance.

Photography has many different facets to be considered. It is both an art form as well as a technical one, making it unique among other art forms. Even the styles and types of photography can differ from person to person. Much like how an artist’s style can differ from person to person, one photographer can take a picture vastly different from others, even if they are viewing the same event or occurrence. An expert photographer will utilize their camera differently from an amateur. It isn’t just a matter of shooting and framing.

Even trying to define what makes an expert and what makes an amateur can be difficult to tell.

The origins of photography

The first picture that was ever taken (or at least, oldest picture that survived) can be traced back to 1826 or 1827, when Joseph NicéphoreNiépce took a picture from the upstairs window of his estate.  It’s a simple image entitled “View from the Window at Le Gras.” Made using an early photo technique called heliography, it required the use of materials such as bitumen and lavender oil to create an impression on a lithograph that will form the basis of the image when exposed to sunlight.

Today, you can view the picture at the University of Texas-Austin as part of its permanent collection. Objectively speaking, the image is quite unremarkable by today’s standards, and we do not even know if it is truly the first photo ever taken. But it is an important piece regardless, if not just for artistic merit, solely because of the historic value it poses to photography as a whole. It is still the oldest surviving photo we have, a time machine to a past when we were unable to keep mementos for events and things we wish to treasure.

It’s also a symbol for what photography stands for: a still image of a moment stolen in time, of what we wish to preserve and keep for ourselves. Since then we’ve had more advanced types of photography, going even more digital and accessible until even the average person can snap a picture and post it for thousands to see. It really speaks something about our need to capture fleeting things.

The picture and the frame, a harmonious balance

How do frames fit into the picture? Even when your photos are meant to be moments in time, we all know that these physical keepsakes aren’t enough to preserve. They can be easily ripped, damaged, or lost. This is why we’ve given photos the same treatment that we do for precious art: we frame them.

Surprisingly, the picture frame is much older than the picture itself, dating back to times when art and paintings were framed for various odd purposes. Frames have been around for nearly 3000 years! Framing itself is its own art form entirely. Let’s see why picture framing goes very well with photography:

• For protection. Good picture frames are ones that protect your picture from wear and tear, acting as buffers between the outside world and the flimsy picture.
• It’s its own art piece. The frame itself is not just a dull cover to protect your photos. They serve to highlight it and make it look even more beautiful. It’s a complement to your photos.
• Beauty to spaces. Most framed photos are ones that you intend for others to see. A framed photo, in itself, is a display piece. You want to choose a frame that will look good on your walls.
• Creates thoughtful gifts. Photos are versatile, they can also be gifts. Frames add substantial value to your photos.

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