Photo Journal – Part # 1
1. What are the main differences and similarities between portraits in the early days of photography and portraits today?
The photography of early 19th century and the photography of today are varied in many ways. One of the most important ways in which it differs is in the process itself. The processes used to create early photographs were quite complicated and varied, due to the large amount of equipment and the chemical process used in their development. In the past when creating portraits, a photographer had to consider things such as equipment, assistants, and location during the photo session when establishing their costs. Photography of today however, is a much simpler process it no longer takes a professional photographer to take a portrait. With the accessibility and ease of today’s photographic equipment and processes the cost of a portrait depending on the quality is much less.
2. Who was the photographer and who was the subject of photographs in the past and today?
In the early days of photography, 
portraits were taken by professional photographers who were dedicated to the art of photography. These photographers were artist who were devoted to their craft, as photography was a very long and complicated process these artist had to have a through understand of photographic equipment and chemical processes. The portraits of the past were, at first, reserved for those of power, money, status and fame. These people were often doctors, lawyers, politicians, and other people with a great deal of money. With the creation of a standardization process of the photo-taking for example-Daguerreotype, the cost of photos and portraits decreased greatly. This caused a rise in the popularity of photography, especially for those who perhaps did not have as many financial resources to also have their photos taken (middle class).Today, photos and portraits do not have to be a taken by a professional photographer, it could be anyone really as the cameras of today are so much easier to operate. Also having ones photo or portrait taken is a much more affordable thing than it was in the past. In fact, with the invention of digital cameras, camera phones, IPod's, Webcams, and other photographic technology the ability to purchase a camera and take pictures on one’s own is a popular alternative to getting a professional photograph or portrait taken.
3. What was the impact of technology on the portraits in the past and today?
The complex and varied processes of creating a portrait in the 19th century compared today shows how much photography has truly evolved with the help of technology. During the development of early photography in the early 19th century, technology was limited but also in a constant state of evolution. Both the techniques and equipment used in photography were constantly changing to try and perfect the capturing of a person’s image and to simplify the complicated processes being used. Early photographers had a very practiced and patient approach while developing portraits in which many preparations and procedures had to be followed due to the time consuming process and lack of technology. With the huge advances in today’s technology the impact on photography is that not only can professional photographers immediately and effortlessly develop photos, just about anyone can as well. With digital cameras made so easily available, it has made the process of today’s photo taking quick, time-effective, and portable which allows us to take as many photos in as many locations as we wish at any time.
Work Cited
"Daguerre (1787–1851) and the Invention of Photography | Thematic Essay | Heilbrunn Timeline of Art History | The Metropolitan Museum of Art." The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York: Metmuseum.org. Web. 18 Sept. 2011. <http://www.metmuseum.org/toah/hd/dagu/hd_dagu.htm
"America's First Look into the Camera: Daguerreotype Portraits and Views, 1839-1862 - Collection Connections - For Teachers (Library of Congress)." Library of Congress Home. Web. 17 Sept. 2011. <http://www.loc.gov/teachers/classroommaterials/connections/daguerreotype/file.html>.
"Some Really Greatest Inventions From 19th Century." My Doubts › My Doubts about Everything... Web. 18 Sept. 2011. <http://mydoubts.net/greatest-inventions-19th-century/>.
"Dslr - Camera,Photo,Memory." Camera, Photo, Memory. Web. 17 Sept. 2011. <http://www.the-cameras.com/tag/dslr/>
portraits were taken by professional photographers who were dedicated to the art of photography. These photographers were artist who were devoted to their craft, as photography was a very long and complicated process these artist had to have a through understand of photographic equipment and chemical processes. The portraits of the past were, at first, reserved for those of power, money, status and fame. These people were often doctors, lawyers, politicians, and other people with a great deal of money. With the creation of a standardization process of the photo-taking for example-Daguerreotype, the cost of photos and portraits decreased greatly. This caused a rise in the popularity of photography, especially for those who perhaps did not have as many financial resources to also have their photos taken (middle class).Today, photos and portraits do not have to be a taken by a professional photographer, it could be anyone really as the cameras of today are so much easier to operate. Also having ones photo or portrait taken is a much more affordable thing than it was in the past. In fact, with the invention of digital cameras, camera phones, IPod's, Webcams, and other photographic technology the ability to purchase a camera and take pictures on one’s own is a popular alternative to getting a professional photograph or portrait taken. 
The complex and varied processes of creating a portrait in the 19th century compared today shows how much photography has truly evolved with the help of technology. During the development of early photography in the early 19th century, technology was limited but also in a constant state of evolution. Both the techniques and equipment used in photography were constantly changing to try and perfect the capturing of a person’s image and to simplify the complicated processes being used. Early photographers had a very practiced and patient approach while developing portraits in which many preparations and procedures had to be followed due to the time consuming process and lack of technology. With the huge advances in today’s technology the impact on photography is that not only can professional photographers immediately and effortlessly develop photos, just about anyone can as well. With digital cameras made so easily available, it has made the process of today’s photo taking quick, time-effective, and portable which allows us to take as many photos in as many locations as we wish at any time.
