THE CAMERA: SO GOOD WE INVENTED IT TWICE!
We all know how easy it is to snap shots, but the numbers are still astounding. It is estimated that humans will take about 1.5 trillion photographs in 2021, give or take a billion or two. There have been over 30 billion photographs uploaded to Instagram since its launch in 2010. And between us all, there are an estimated 7 trillion photographs in existence in one form or another. More than any other art form, photography has become our go-to creative expression.
Our obsession began over two hundred years ago when French inventor Joseph Nicéphore Niépce took the first photograph out of his Paris apartment window in 1825. Other people had created images more than twenty years before, but Niépce was the first to discover how to fix the image and make it permanent. He had invented photography.
Early cameras were heavy, intricate objects that required a lot of set up. Film didn’t exist, so each picture had to be exposed onto a glass plate prepared with a delicate mixture of chemicals. And it was a slow process, with early photographs often taking hours to soak up enough light to create an image.
It wasn’t really until the Kodak Brownie arrived in 1900 that photography was within reach of the rest of us. This pocket camera was simple enough and—most importantly—cheap enough for the average person. As a hobby of the masses, photography soon took off in a major way.
Then, photography was invented a second time. Although cameras had become increasingly sophisticated during the 20th century, they created a photograph in much the same way as in 1825 Paris. In 1975, Kodak invented the digital camera – no film and an instantaneous image. As before, many others worked to perfect the new technology, but it still took them a couple of decades to create a high-quality, affordable camera. And once it was merged into the mobile phone, suddenly millions had one in their pockets.
And the rest is history, if a very short one by comparison! Today, taking a photograph has become so ubiquitous it’s a part of our everyday social language. And with recent events affecting us all so directly, taking a picture has shifted. It’s not just about us enjoying an art form; photography has also become our journal and how we preserve our story.
HIGHLIGHT
Beginning February 3
Knitting for Beginners: Continental / Scandinavian Methods
With Kirsten West
Four Wednesdays from 10am-noon
You’ll be amazed at how simple it easy to learn to knit Continental/Scandinavian Style. Students will learn to cast on the Scandinavian way, all while learning various stitches, ribs, and basic techniques.
We will read patterns and learn about various fibers that are suitable for hand knitting, and how to care for hand-knitted items. Knowing continental knitting will make advanced techniques easier to learn and master.
This class is for beginners and refreshers.
$85 Members, $100 Non-Members
Socially distanced – mask required
THANK YOU
As we continue our journey of thanking our 2020 donors, we recognize our circle of donors who made transformational gifts over the past year. We are extremely grateful to each of you for the support you continue to show the Center.
Charlotte Benner Trust, Anonymous, Hugh and Jean Hilliard, The Etta Goodstein Trust, Mimi McConnell, Marion Broidrick, Paul and Joanne Simoneau, Suzanne Wolk, Heidi Schuetz and Dan Wolf, Janice Hyland and Alan Granby, John J. Ryan Marital Trust, Charlie and Barbara Adams, Lisbeth Kamborian, Pat Armstrong and Bea Gremlich, Ina Clayman, Sidwell Family Charitable Fund, Evans and Holly Arnold, Mark and Peggy Anschutz, Anonymous, Bob and Lynda Cox, David Moriarty and Barry Margolin, Donald and Janet Gauland, Jack and Patty Creighton, Jason and Tina Lilly, Jeffrey and Georgia Wilson, Joe and Meredith Zona, Larry and Beth Thayer, Nancy Douttiel and Diane Willcox, Ray and Betsy Brown, Steven Cipriano
Please note the Cultural Center of Cape Cod’s campus will be closed to the public until Monday, February 1, 2021.
Our team will be contacting everyone who was supposed to attend a class this week to reschedule. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to reply to this email as the team will be working remotely.
We thank everyone for your understanding during this challenging time. Our team and our community’s well-being is the top priority, and we will get through this together.
