August 19th is World Photo Day— a day to highlight the significant impact photography has had on people throughout its relatively short history. But why the 19th of August? Thank the French! On August 19th, 1839, France purchased the patent for a photographic process known as the daguerreotype, named for creator Louis-Jacques-Mandé Daguerre. 

The daguerreotype process for producing images was publicly shared as a “gift to the world,” allowing nations worldwide to experiment with this fascinating new medium. “Daguerreotypes,” the images created on mirrored silver plates using this process, are known today as early versions of photographs. Now, we celebrate the date of the daguerreotype patent being purchased and made public annually across the globe on World Photo Day.

Ever since the earliest photographs emerged in the mid-1800’s, the world has had an infatuation with photography—whether in front of or behind the lens. Photographs can inspire, communicate, and remind us of the past. And as technology has advanced, so has the accessibility of the camera and public platforms to share our snapshots on.

Now, virtually anyone can become a Steve McCurry or Dorthea Lange. An estimated 1.8 billion—yes, BILLION— photos are uploaded to different social media platforms every day. In celebration of this important medium, and in the spirit of World Photo Day, we’ve highlighted some of our favorite photography accounts, apps, and advice to take professional-level photos with just your phone.

Our Fave Photo Apps

Adobe Lightroom

Boasting 4.8 stars in the App Store with over 150,000 reviews, there’s no question that Adobe Lightroom is a premiere photo editing application. A longtime favorite among professional photographers, Lightroom allows users to edit photos using custom settings or by selecting from a range of popular presets.  Lightroom also sports cloud connectivity, a clean, user-friendly interface, and step-by-step tutorials right in the app, making it an excellent choice for beginners and experts alike. This app is a must-have for anyone looking to up their photography game.

Sun Surveyor

If you’ve begun to dip your toe into the world of photography, you already know how important lighting is—especially when you’re taking pictures outdoors. With the Sun Surveyor app, you no longer have to guess what the lighting at any given time may look like. You can see it right on your phone! Sun Surveyor is a great tool to help you plan that perfect shot.

 Camera+ 2

The Camera+ 2 application helps to bring all of the technological advancements in photography right to your phone. Camera+ 2 is not only a photo editing app, but also allows you to capture RAW (unedited and uncompressed) photos right on your phone, eliminating the need for a costly DSLR camera to get professional quality photos. 

World Photographers We Love

@chrisburkard on Instagram

Chris Burkard

@chrisburkard

Extreme is an understatement when it comes to Chris Burkard. As a professional photographer, Burkard travels to the most remote places on earth in search of capturing the perfect photograph. His Instagram account is a beautiful exhibit of some of the most extraordinary, and most perilous, places on earth.

@paulnicklen on Instagram

Paul Nicklen

@paulnicklen

We can’t forget about the ocean this World Photo Day! If you’re a fan of National Geographic, then you may have come across some of Paul Nicklen’s work already. As a photojournalist for National Geographic and a Marine Biologist, Nicklen travels the globe capturing jaw-dropping snapshots of the mysterious world beneath the waves.

@brahmino on Instagram

Simone Bramante

@brahmino

Simone Bramante is an Italian Photographer who brings his unconventional landscape photos right to the palm of your hand via his Instagram account. This World Photo Day, get wrapped up in the whimsy of the natural world by exploring some of Simone Bramante’s work. 

Tips to Take Amazing Photos

Take Advantage of The ‘Golden Hour’ 

You may have heard of this spectacular time of day to capture photos, especially for selfies, but the golden hour can turn any mediocre setting or subject and turn it into something truly extraordinary. Start shooting right when the sun dips below the clouds for spectacular lighting that doesn’t cost a dime.

Mix it Up

With as many photos that are being taken today, it can sometimes be hard to find ways to change things up to make your photos stand apart from the sea of others flooding the internet. Some advice we can give is, mix it up and experiment! Move around, get dirty, or try to change your perspective. Stand on a ladder for a shot, or get down onto the floor. You may look weird doing it, but it could result in an amazing, unique photo!

Find Your Anchor

The next time you are out and see a beautiful sunset that you want to photograph, think about including an “anchor” subject in the shot. While landscape photos, such as sunsets, can be irresistible, their beauty can get lost on the audience. By including a subject in the foreground, even just a simple stone or flower, you can completely change the perspective for the viewer and draw them in more than a traditional landscape scene would. 

Whether you’re the audience or artist, there are many ways to celebrate this World Photo Day! Learn more about photography’s history, try a new app, or follow a photographer. Whatever you do, use today as an excuse to explore photography, and commemorate the impact it has had on the world and technology.

GUEST AUTHOR

Carolyn Apsey | Washington D.C.

Carolyn is a writer who enjoys horseback riding and experimenting with Mediterranean recipes. She loves sharing helpful tech tips and news that make peoples’ lives easier. When not writing or riding, Carolyn can be found caring for her Greyhound, Copper, or practicing her German at one of D.C.’s many local breweries.

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