Behind the lens

Ever wondered who was the first woman to take a photograph?

- DAVID YOUNG

When the single-lens reflex camera was invented? Or the name of the brand that introduced the first camera with automatic exposure? The answers to these questions – and many more – appear in A Brief History of Photography by David S Young (and at the bottom of the opposite page).

On sale now from all good bookstores and online retailers, seven chapters cover 'The Early Years' to '2000 to Now', with the final entry taken from 2020. So whether you're a photographer or are close to someone who is, then this 370-page tome could be the perfect treat or personalised gift.

To find out more, we got a brief history from the author himself...

How did the book come about and how long were you working on it?

The book began as an appendix to another book that was never written. Back in 2004, I thought that book should have a brief threeor four-page appendix on the history of photography, working on the theory that you can't know where you're going unless you know where you've been.

I showed the draft to some friends and they loved it. From there, the original book was forgotten while the appendix took on a life of its own. The research for that ended up consuming the next 16 years of my life.

Are you pleased with how the book has turned out?

Pleased? No. Absolutely delighted? Yes! Rocky Nook, the publisher, did an amazing job on the design – it's so visually attractive. The content has been receiving terrific reviews – far better than I ever could have imagined.

What I like most is that you can read it from the beginning and it's a fascinating history. Or you can pick it up and start reading anywhere for just as long as you like and it's always interesting.