Madhya Pradesh
World Photography Day
- 19 Aug 2025
- 2 min read
Why in News?
On the occasion of World Photography Day (19th August), Indore’s significant contributions to the art of photography are being celebrated. The city’s rich photography heritage traces back to the late 19th century with pioneers like Lala Deendayal.
Indore’s Contribution in Photography
- 19th Century Roots in India:
- William Armstrong (1847): First British photographer to capture images of Ajanta-Ellora caves.
- Indore’s Photography Journey: Lala Deendayal opened Indore's first photo studio (1888). Deendayal’s work gained recognition from local royals, earning him land and the title 'Raja Deendayal' from the Nizam.
- After Deendayal’s departure, several photographers carried on his work.
- Notable Photographers:
- Bhalu Mondhe (Padma Shri Awardee): Introduced color photography in Indore in 1975 and established the first color lab, revolutionizing the field in the city.
Key Facts About World Photography Day
- About: World Photography Day (19th August) is celebrated to honor the invention of the daguerreotype process ('Daguerreotype Camera').
- On this day in 1839, the French government officially announced the daguerreotype, developed by Louis Daguerre in 1837.
- The daguerreotype process was an early photographic process that produced a highly detailed, one-of-a-kind positive image on a silver-coated copper plate and laid the foundation for modern photography.
- Theme 2025: "MY FAVORITE PHOTO".
- History of World Photography Day:
- Proposed by Indian photographer and teacher O.P. Sharma in 1988.
- Became a global online phenomenon in 2005.
- Promoted online as "World Photo Day" starting in 2010 by Australian entrepreneur Korske Ara.
- North American producer John Morzen played a key role in shaping and expanding the global recognition of World Photography Day.
