Science is defined as “the intellectual and practical activity encompassing the systematic study of the structure and behavior of the physical and natural world through observation and experiment.” Art, on the other hand, is “the expression or application of human creative skill and imagination, typically in a visual form such as painting or sculpture, producing works to be appreciated primarily for their beauty or emotional power.” Think of it like this: after a scientific discovery or technological advancement—and its practical implementation—has become commonplace, society will begin to use the advancement for aesthetic and artistic purposes. Such is the case with photography. Throughout the century in which the camera became more and more prevalent, a great divide formed between those who saw the scientific uses of photographic technology and those who viewed photography solely as an artistic medium. Check out the infographic below for more about the history of photography in society. When you’re done, take a moment to reflect on the fact that such technology used to be considered absolutely mind-boggling—and now we use it to take pictures of our breakfast. Image source: Clifton Cameras
Featured photo credit: Clifton Cameras via cliftoncameras.co.uk
