World Photography Day is observed worldwide on the 19th of August every year with a lot of zeal and enthusiasm. The day is not only celebrated by the staunch followers of photography but all the people across the globe irrespective of their professions and interests come together and inspire the coming generations to understand the importance of photography.
On this particular day, millions of people capture different ideas and share their world with others, try to dwell in the imaginations of other photographers, and try to bring more happiness through the means of photography.
In a world where billions of photographs are uploaded every hour, World Photography Day inspires many photographers from around the world to disseminate their idea of a single picture with their single purpose, yet motivating multiple minds to think differently.
The world witnesses a gallery of images during this day, ranging from day-to-day life to unbelievable landscapes, captured by people from diverse backgrounds and countries.
World Photography Day History
France announced the first photograph on the 19th of August, 1939. The prelude to this announcement was that on January 9, 1839, where the French Academy of Sciences proclaimed the Daguerreotype process.
Later, on the 19th of August of the very same year, the French government procured the patent and Francois Arago, the 25th Prime Minister of France gave a presentation to the French Academie des Science and Academie des Beaux-Arts, which described the process of photography.
Arago discussed its evaluation, and fathomed its brilliant future and proffered its free use to the world hence calling it a “Gift that was free to the world”.
On, August 19, 2010, the very first global online gallery was hosted. The day was historic because even though it was the first online gallery ever hosted the day witnessed 270 photographers sharing their ideas through the means of photographs and people from over 100 countries visited the website.
The Indian International Photographic Council, New Delhi under the guidance of its founder, Mr. O.P. Sharma reached out to various photographic luminaries to set a day to celebrate photography annually.
What is the purpose of celebrating World Photography Day?
People from far and wide wait to rejoice for the 19th of August to arrive. World Photography Day aims to share ideas, encourage all to do their little in this field, and seek the attention of people to spread the work of those who introduced their ideas of photography to the world.
On this day, people from diverse countries and cultures gather under one roof and on the same platform to organize photo exhibitions, competitions, lectures, workshops, and seminars.
This day not only remembers the one who has contributed their share in the past but also motivates the coming generation to participate and brush their skills under the guidance of learned scholars from this field.
How is Celebrates World Photography Day?
Since 2010, World Photography Day has been celebrated across the globe to encourage and motivate people by letting them know by means of seminars what would it be like to live in a world without photographs.
On this day many people take part in competitions and art gallery events to showcase their work, where they have put a lot of their efforts into making their best pieces. These contests are open to everyone, regardless of their experience or years of experience.
The organizing teams along with the sponsors of such events conduct worldwide media events, campaigns, and other such activities to gather people to spread the knowledge of photography.
The one major problem with photography is that the profession needs a lot of investment and it becomes a little difficult for a startup to arrange for financers to support its further plans. The Photography Day celebration is one-of-its-kind and provides a solution to such startups.
This day provides a platform for young people to believe in their hard work and display their talent to the rest of the world. People from all sectors attend exhibitions, not only admiring the work but also hiring people for the projects in which they intend to invest. It is all about celebrating and acknowledging photography whether one is an amateur, hobbyist, or professional.
Some of the examples of events held in recent years across the world are as follows:
India
In India, World Photography Day is celebrated with a lot of zeal and fervor. Not only it is celebrated in its national capital but all over the country in all the states in the form of several activities undertaken by different groups of people. Students from various universities organize inter-college competitions.
Sri Prakash Vidyaniketan students recently organized one such event. There, the renowned wildlife Photographer Captain Suresh Sharma, and fashion photographer B.K. Agarwal and Professional photographer Prabal Mohanty attended as special guests.
These luminaries shared their insights into the art of photography. Likewise, the members of the Professional Photographers and videographers Association celebrated World Photography Day at Y.V.S. Murthy Auditorium, Andhra University College of Engineering.
Registrar V. Uma Maheshwar Rao inaugurated the photo exhibition.
England
Each year World Photography Day is welcomed in England with much joy. In England, photography is celebrated during the entire year through the means of various awards and ceremonies. People from various countries take part in the famous World Photography Awards held annually in London, England.
There are also other special categories like travel, holidays, and lifestyle.
United States of America
The U.S.A. is home to the giant application owner Mark Zuckerberg. In the recent past, Facebook became a platform for a number of people across the globe to appreciate the work of photographers.
World Photographic Forum is a Facebook group for photo lovers, photo lovers, and by photo lovers. The forum started awarding the photographs on the 1st of February 2017.
France
World Photography Day is much awaited in France because the origin of photography has been witnessed here.
French people share their leisure time between practicing sports, clicking pictures, and going to the cinema. Several people enroll in one college to learn photography; some have discerning insight into the field.
Suggestions For Celebrating Photography in India.
India is a vast country with different customs and traditions.
We have had great photographers like Raghu Rai, Homai Vyarawalla, Dabboo Ratnani, and Dayanita Singh for a long time. Now is the time for our coming generation to prove their mettle in this field as well. Here are some suggestions to celebrate World Photography Day in India.
On World Photography Day, special fundraising events should be organized in every city where everybody can take part without any entry fee and on the basis of their work can be helped to get admission to schools and colleges to pursue their dreams.
It would be helpful to hold a special seminar on World Photography Day to enroll both boys and girls. Everybody should move out, let themselves free from hectic routines, take out their old cameras, walk around, and take some pictures to preserve time in the photographic form.
World Photography Day Theme
Every year, World Photography Day has its theme. World Photography Day on the 19th of August 2024 was observed on the theme of “Understanding Clouds”. The main objective is to produce a user-friendly digital-based photograph that is both, an authoritative and comprehensive photograph.
Conclusion
World Photography Day is a celebration of all the communities that connect millions of people around the globe. It aspires to bring a positive change in the world, whether it’s in our everyday choices or through the organization we support.
Today photography has become an indispensable part of our lives and has evolved into a tool that connects us all.
In that spirit, people across the world are celebrating 177 years of photography. No matter who you are, or where you are; World Photography Day helps us open our eyes to the possibility of photography and enables us to share the world as we see it.
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| August Social Events | Date of Celebration |
| World Breastfeeding Week | 1st August to 7th August |
| Organ Donation Day | 13th August |
| Independence Day – 15 August | 15th August |
| World Photography Day | 19th August |
| Sadbhavana Diwas | 20th August |
| World Senior Citizens Day | 21st August |
| National Eye Donation Fortnight | 25th August to 8th September |
| National Sports Day | 29th August |