Most people think that photography was not invented until the mid-1800s, and in a sense, they are right, but many discoveries that made 21st photography possible came much earlier. The first camera of any kind, in fact, was a pinhole camera made by Ibn al Haytham (965-1040). The vital discovery of silver nitrate by Albertus Magnus happened in the 13th century, followed later by silver chloride. In 1694, the photochemical effect of light on chemicals was first described by Wilhelm Homberg.

All of these contributions led to the development of photography in the 19th century. In 1826, the very first enduring photograph was taken by Nicephore Niepce. Just in time for soldiers going off to the American Civil War, commercial photography was in its infancy. All the young men going off to fight wanted to leave behind a little tintype or ambrotype for his family or special girl. Though there are only few action photographs from the war, the Civil War has the sad distinction of being our first military action with a photographic record.

As photography progressed, more careers opened up, and it also became a hobby for thousands of curious folks worldwide. Newspapers needed photographers, magazines were created to showcase photography, photographers were always in demand for family portraits. Now there are any number of careers for photographers, from crime scene investigation work to sports to work in NASA or other scientific arenas. Photographers cover the globe capturing every facet of human culture as well as animal and plant life. They witness natural beauty at which the rest of us can only sit home and marvel.

Anyone with an interest, however, can practice photography for themselves, today. With distance education courses, education is fun and convenient. The coursework can teach you all aspects of the field, whether you use a digital or 35 mm camera.

You do not even have to be thinking about a career, you can simply pick courses that will help you take great pictures of your kids or photograph the spider webs that cover your garden in the morning light. Whatever your interest, photography is a useful thing to learn.