When Did Black & White Photography Start?

Photography has come a long way since the invention of the pinhole camera. Today's photographers have many choices when it comes to color, but there was a time when black and white photographs were the only available choice.

Inventor

Joseph Nicéphore Niépce of France.

Date

While the exact date of the first black and white photograph is not recorded, it is believed to have been around 1826.

Location

The first photograph was taken at Joseph Niépce's house in Le Gras in the village of St. Loup de Varennes in Burgandy.

First Black and White Photograph

Joseph Niépce took the very first black and white photo while looking out of his third-floor study window. While the picture wasn't distinct, the roof of his barn, a pear tree and the horizon could all be made out. His photograph advanced photographic technology by leaps and bounds.

Early Black and White

Even though inventors made great strides in photography during the early years, from black and white to semi-color photographs. Black and white photographs were the media of choice for photographers. The black and white photograph remained for many years the sharpest quality image available.

References

• Photo History