World first photograph in 1825 – a building, barn, and tree!

The world's first photograph was clicked by Niépce, born Joseph Nicéphore Niépce on March 7, 1765, in France, hailed from a family of means, with his father being a wealthy attorney. However, the family had to flee during the French Revolution. Nicéphore, originally named Joseph, adopted the name Nicéphore while studying at the Oratorian College in Angers, inspired by Saint Nicephorus. His studies at the college focused on experimental methods in science, leading him to become a professor.

Niépce served as a staff officer in Napoleon's army, spending considerable time in Italy and Sardinia. Due to illness, he resigned and later married Agnes Romero. Afterward, he became the Administrator of the district of Nice before redirecting his efforts towards scientific research alongside his brother Claude at the family estate in Chalon.

In 1822, Niépce is credited with creating the world's first photographic etching, using a camera obscura to capture an engraving of Pope Pius VII. Despite an unsteady hand and weak drawing skills, he pursued a way to permanently capture images, experimenting with silver chloride and later bitumen. His successful attempt involved dissolving bitumen in lavender oil, coating pewter, and exposing it inside a camera obscura. This process, taking over eight hours, produced the first surviving photo in 1825 – a building, barn, and tree.

Niépce's invention, termed a Heliograph, faced challenges in gaining recognition. In 1829, he formed a partnership with Louis Daguerre to improve the process. Sadly, Niépce passed away in 1833 at the age of 69. Daguerre continued their collaboration, developing the Daguerreotype, and received credit for the invention, while Niépce's contributions were largely overlooked.

Aside from his photographic achievements, Niépce, along with his brother Claude, invented the Pyreolophore, the world's first internal combustion engine, patented in 1807 by Napoleon Bonaparte.

In recognition of Niépce's contributions, The Niépce Prize was established in 1955, awarded annually to a professional photographer with over three years of residency and work in France. Despite initial obscurity, Niépce's groundbreaking work in photography was rediscovered in 1952, cementing his legacy as a pioneer in the field.