Oldest Surviving Photographs of 20 Cities Reveal How the World Has Transformed in 150 Years
The history of photography dates back to even before the 11th century and Ibn al-Haytham’s book of optics. It, possibly, goes far back to the fourth and fifth centuries Before Common Era, when famous Greek Mathematicians Euclid and Aristotle described the concept of a pinhole camera. But ever since the 11th century and discoveries in the field of optics have been succeeding one after the other, until photography was actually invented by French inventor Nicéphore Niépce. The oldest surviving photograph, to this day, was taken by Niépce in 1827, and the oldest photograph showing a person was taken by French artist Louis Daguerre in 1838.
Now, photography is quite mainstream; however, those who choose to take it as a profession need to learn more about focus, aberration, resolution, and many other technicalities. They, also, need to have the sense of it. Talented photographers know how to capture the essence of a moment and a place in one single image. Photography, now, has got many genres, as well, in which photographers can specialize. These include portrait photography, food photography, fashion photography, architecture photography, and landscape photography, among many others.
You have most definitely been awed numerous times before by photographs which reveal tremendous landscapes and cityscapes from all over the world. Those photos are probably the main inspiration for your travel bucket list. They are masterfully taken by talented and professional photographers who know how to highlight the magic and the spirit of a place. They, also, know how to use the available editing tools and technologies to get the best outcome. Have you wondered though what landscape photography was like before any of this? Here is a collection of the oldest surviving images of cities from all over the globe. Before colors and Photoshop, this is what it was like.
Paris
Taken by Louis Daguerre in 1839; it is the first photograph that shows a person in it – Image via mymodernmet.com
London
The image was taken in 1839 for Trafalgar Square in London. – Image via mymodernmet.com
Dublin
Taken in 1848, showing St. George’s Church in the background. – Image via mymodernmet.com
Athens
Taken in 1845; the image shows the beginnings of the urban sprawl in Athens and the Acropolis – Image via mymodernmet.com
Rome
Taken in 1842 from a 125-foot-high point on Trajan’s column; the image features the Colosseum and its surroundings. – Image via mymodernmet.com
Jerusalem
Taken by French photographer Joseph-Philibert Girault de Prangey in 1844 – Courtesy of Smithsonian Institute – Image via mymodernmet.com
Berlin
Taken in 1840 for the Leipziger Strasse thoroughfare; it shows the spire of St. Mary’s Church in the background. – Image via mymodernmet.com
Copenhagen
Taken in 1840 for Gråbrødretorv public square, named then Ulfeldts Plads – Image via mymodernmet.com
Edinburgh
Taken in 1848, revealing the former assembly hall and Tolbooth Church. – Image via mymodernmet.com
Tokyo
Panormaic Image taken in 1866 by Italian-British photographer Felice Beato for the city of Edo, now Tokyo. – Image via mymodernmet.com
Mumbai
Image via mymodernmet.com
Taken in 1850 when India was still under the rule of British East India Company
Singapore
Taken in 1844 by French customs service officer Alphonse-Eugene-Jules Itier from a vantage point on Fort Canning. – Image via mymodernmet.com
Sydney
Taken in 1855 by photographer Robert Hunt; the image features St. James Parsonage on Macquarie St. – Image via mymodernmet.com
New York
Taken in 1848 for Manhattan’s Upper west side and what is known now as Broadway road. – Image via mymodernmet.com
Los Angeles
The earliest image of Downtown Los Angeles, taken in 1860. – Image via mymodernmet.com
Boston
World’s first aerial photo, taken from a hot air balloon by James Wallace Black in 1860 – Image via mymodernmet.com
Washington DC
The image was taken in 1846 for the old patent office; a building that now houses the National Portrait Gallery and Smithsonian Museum of American Art. – Image via mymodernmet.com
Chicago
Taken in 1855, the image revels the Cook County Court House and City Hall. It was destroyed in the Chicago fire in 1871. – Image via mymodernmet.com
Toronto
The image was taken in 1856 for King Street East to promote the city’s bid to be the Canadian capital city. – Image via mymodernmet.com
San Francisco
The image was taken in 1850 and shows abandoned ships in the bay. Image via mymodernmet.com
Hadeer Shahin is the Built Projects Editor at Arch2O, where she curates innovative architectural works from around the globe. With a background in architecture from Alexandria University and hands-on experience in design and digital content, she bridges the gap between technical precision and editorial vision. Hadeer’s keen eye for spatial storytelling and her passion for contemporary design trends make her a vital contributor to Arch2O’s mission of highlighting excellence in the built environment.