Photography Paper 2 WASSCE (SC), 2023

Question 3:    

  • Describe the term camera obcura.
  • Highlight the major contributions of the following pioneer inventors in photography:

(i)         Joseph Nicephore;
(ii) Louis Dnguere;
(iii)       William Fox Talbot;
(iv)       George Eastman Kodak.

 

 

The question was widely attempted by the candidates. Candidates performance was good. The candidates were expected to answer the question with the following points:

(a)        Description of Camera Obscura
-           It is a Latin word interpreted ‘dark chamber’ in English.
-           Its usage led to the development of modern camera and the invention of photography.
-           It is a large box with a hole on one side that allows light pass through to register on a surface inside where the reflected image can be reproduced.
-           The reflected image is inverted.
-           It was initially used by artists for accurate rendition of scale and perspective in drawing.

  • Contributions Of the following pioneer inventors in photography

(i) Joseph Nicephore  
-           He invented heliography, a process of image production on a pewter plate coated with bitumen.
-           Produced first permanent photograph in 1826 that was taken from his barn yard titled “View from the window at grass”.
-           His pioneer photograph took eight (8) hours for it to be exposed or formed.
-           He partnered with Louis Daguere for further advancement in photography that led to the birth of photography in 1839.                                                                         
(ii)Louis Daguerre

  • He invented Daguerreotype photographic process that led to the birth of photography in 1839.
  • His invention produced direct positive image on a silver-coated copper plate using Camera Obscura.
  • He succeeded in fixing the image to make it permanent in a warm salt solution.
  • His invention reduced exposure time from 8 hours to about 30 minutes.
  • The French Academy of Science and Letters took over the copyright of his invention to make it available to users of the process.


(iii)William Fox Talbot

  • He invented the first paper negative, fore runner of roll film in analogue or

traditional photography in 1835.

  • He invented Calotype or Talbotype negative-to-positive process that made

duplication of images possible.

  • He published the World’s first photographically illustrated book “Pencil of

                     Nature”in 1843.

  • The Calotype photo process reduced exposure time to seconds using Garlic

         Acid.
(iv)George Eastman Kodak

  • He introduced the world’s first portable camera, Kodak No. 1, in 1888 (the new camera could be used by anybody).
  • He invented the Celluloid-based roll film with paper back to be used with Kodak No. 1 camera.
  • He established Eastman Kodak Company which for many years produced films used in photography and cinema.
  • He introduced the earliest commercial processing of roll films in America.