Celebrate 19th August As “World Photography Day”

19th August is celebrated as "World Photography Day" all over the world every year. Most of us await the day with great enthusiasm and celebrate this day by organising photo exhibitions, competitions, lectures, workshops, seminars etc. But very few of us know why 19th August is celebrated as World Photography day. In fact the first announcement of a photograph was made on 19th August, 1839 in France. Arago on 19th August, 1839, made the presentation to the French Academies des Sciences and Academies des Beaux Arts, which described Daguerre’s process; he discussed its evaluation, predicted its brilliant future and offered its free use to the world (PSA Journal article, January-1989, 150 Years of Photography, By: Mr. George. E. Helmke, FPSA). In this way, the details of photography process were made public.
The India International Photographic Council (IIPC), New Delhi, under the guidance of its founder, Mr. O. P. Sharma, the world famous pictorialist of India, contacted many distinguished photographic luminaries, important ones in the field of photography art and photographic organisations of different countries to set a day to be celebrated as World Photography Day every year. The response was very satisfactory and the proposal was accepted in different countries. India International Photographic Council started celebrating World Photography Day on every 19th August from 1991. So, let us take oath to celebrate "World Photography Day" every year on 19th August with all of our friends and colleagues. This will be a true tribute to the pioneers in the field of Photography Art.

-----Dr. Pankaj Sharma