photography

n. [ Photo- + -graphy: cf. F. photographie. ] 1. The science which relates to the action of light on sensitive bodies in the production of pictures, the fixation of images, and the like. The production of pictures by the photochemical action of light on films of chemicals sensitive to light, and also the production of electronic images in electronic cameras, are both considered types of photography. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. The art or process of producing pictures by this action of light. [ 1913 Webster ]

☞ In traditional photography, the well-focused optical image is thrown on a surface of metal, glass, paper, or other suitable substance, coated with collodion or gelatin, and sensitized with the chlorides, bromides, or iodides of silver, or other salts sensitive to light. The exposed plate is then treated with reducing agents, as pyrogallic acid, ferrous sulphate, etc., to develop the latent image. The image is then fixed by washing off the excess of unchanged sensitive salt with sodium hyposulphite (thiosulphate) or other suitable reagents. [ 1913 Webster ]

color photography, the production of colored images by a photographic process. A variety of dyes are used to produced the colored images in photochemical processes. Such processes may or may not use silver to produce the colored image. Color photographs may also be produced by electronic cameras. [ PJC ]