INTRODUCTION



Photography is not only one of the largest hobbies in the world, muggle or wizarding world alike, but it also is an important resource in our lives. Photographs are important to illustrate, inform, report, and document: to express ideas, tell stories, capture the moment, preserve memories, archive knowledge, encourage self expression, or maybe just used for beauty and entertainment.

The history of photography doesn't begin with wizards; instead it began with muggles.

CAMERA OBSCURA



The history of photography doesn't begin either with a physical image of a photograph but rather a dark room and only a pin-prick of a hole. A Camera Obscura, or "dark chamber" was experimented with in the 9th Century. It allowed sunlight to pass through a tiny hole in one wall of a room or light-tight box causing it to project an upside-down image of the outside world on the opposite wall. The image was projected there: it could be seen, it could be utilized as a tracing or drawing aid, but there wasn't yet a way to capture a permanent image.

PHOTOGRAPHY IN THE MUGGLE WORLD

Photography emerged as muggle scientists began experimenting with Chemistry and light-sensitive materials (substances or solutions that darken when exposed to light).

In the early 1800s, a muggle by the name of Nicéphore Niépce used small plates coated in chemicals and experimented with various techniques to capture an image. He is attributed to capturing the first photograph in 1826 - a blurry image of rooftops.

Niépce's former partner, another muggle named Louis Daguerre, would create a process called the Daguerreotype. These photographs were very time-intensive and expensive. The practice became widespread among muggle wealthy class families.

CROSSING OVER INTO THE WIZARDING WORLD

The practice quickly began to become controversial in the wizarding world. Some witches and wizards found the idea of photography to be appealing because, while it was derived from muggle science, it was like a division of Potions. For others, it was the novelty of something new. Still, there were many, mainly aristocratic pureblood families, that saw no use in deviating from the portraits that were drawn of themselves, their families, or any landscape or subject of their choice by valued artists. After all, those images could move AND talk. Perhaps it really truly was just an aversion to muggle things, but they would never admit to such a notion.

Still, one pioneer in general broke out from such stigma. Marilla Highmore was from a wealthy pureblooded family but was fascinated by the thought of having a true moment in time, a true depiction of what really was there, be frozen in time. "A stopped motion in time!" she would describe it as, and she fought through the aversion that the wizarding world put upon her. She traveled to three different continents (Asia, North America, and South America) to take photographs of beautiful landscapes, magical creatures, and exotic plants. Many wizards and witches had only seen an artistic rendition of these subjects until her photographs. She got others interested in photography and helped normalize it for the wizarding world.

MAKING PHOTOGRAPHY MAGICAL

Still, that wasn't good enough. Not for everyone. No, there had to be something unique and special about photography if the wizarding world was going to utilize it. That's where Alastair Digby came in. What differentiated a painted portrait in the muggle world from one in the magical world was its ability to move and talk. What could be done to differentiate muggle photography from wizarding photography? Alastair Digby, a potions master, experimented and studied various elements until he finally invented the Developing Solution - a grand invention!



When the Developing Solution was used, photographs taken by wizards and witches would show movement - capturing a brief moment in time in a perpetual loop. To change Marilla Highmore's words, Alastair Digby would claim "A moment in time!"

GROWING IN POPULARITY

After this invention, photography in the wizarding world was no longer taboo. EVERYONE wanted to give it a try but only the wealthy could afford it.

Those that wanted their image or their families captured forever in a photograph would seek out the few prominent photographers of the time and travel to their Studio or Photographic Room. These locations were bright spaces, adorned with the most fashionable furniture, props, and backdrops, and guaranteed a good picture.

The most recognized photographers at this time were Hampton Parker, Herminia Cross, Jean-Pierre Marchant, and the brother duo of Thaddeus and Leander Riede.

It wasn't until Alastair Digby's patent on the Developing Solution lifted in 1844 that photography became more available to the masses.

Now, even muggle cameras can take such photographs (and are popular amongst the magical world) - as long as all mechanisms are manual as not to interfere with magic and developed with the Developing Solution in order to move.

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CONCLUSION



May photography continue to move along and move us along, picture by picture.

ALIZÈ COURVOISIER



Alizé Courvoisier is a French photographer skilled at documentary photography with a moral edge. The quality of a documentary photograph stems from the honesty with which the photographer aims to tell the subject's story; these photographs are never staged, only observed and, without intervention, captured. Her work, often showing some of the lesser-seen sides to wizarding life (life halfbloods, house elves, and insight into the world of competitive occupations) have given many witches and wizards a new outlook.

REUBEN O'BRIEN



Reuben O'Brien is native to Ireland and his street photography is described as both ground breaking and innovative. Reuben is known for his sense of humor and for his photographs of iconic and bizarre situations in everyday life.

EDWIN HAYES



Edwin Hayes is the most famous wizard photographer in the nature and landscape niche. Originally from Scotland, he has traveled the globe, with nothing but his camera, broom, enchanted satchel, and his Majesto Tent which he converted into a living space and darkroom.

ROWAN MARICE



Rowan Marice, of Manchester, England, rose quickly to fame in the world of wizarding photography. Her iconic images of cultural and surreal imagery are true works of art. Anyone who is anyone would want a Marcie original hanging upon their wall. She doesn't often sell her work though, and if you want to see her original prints with your own eye, you'll have to catch one of her showings at prominent art galleries.

MALVINA MORVELL



Malvina Morvell, of Aberdare, Wales, will do whatever it takes to get the shot! Known for her work with magical creatures and plants, most of the dangerous kind, she has been described as downright fearless. Her photographs have made the cover of many publications and scientific journals within the wizarding world.

ROLAND PARLOW



Roland Parlow, a British photographer, is known as a prophet in helping to make photography into an art form. He has taken photographs in several genres and excelled at each and every one. He is perhaps the most known photographer in all the wizarding world.

VERONICA PENN



She is a street photographer from Painswick, Cotswold Valley, England, who often focuses her work on the darker side of the wizarding world. Her most influential work is with the lower class magical community, making statements about class and society, perception, and work labor. Her photographs have been instrumental in helping to change laws for the better.

LUCAS PRICE



Lucas Price of London is a portrait photographer to the stars. He has photographed everyone from celebrities to political world leaders. His work is a great resource if wanting to learn about portraiture and lighting.