Celebrating World Photography Day 2023: Showcasing Readers' Stunning Snapshots
World Photography Day 2023 Celebrates the Art and Impact of Photography
World Photography Day, observed annually on August 19, marked a significant celebration in 2023, commemorating the official announcement in 1839 by the French government of Louis Daguerre's invention of the daguerreotype, the first commercially successful photographic process.
This day honours the history, craft, and art of photography, reflecting on its revolutionary impact on how we capture, preserve, and perceive moments and the world. Photography documents civilizations, major events, struggles, and beauty, and it continues to evolve through advances like digital cameras, smartphones, drones, 360-degree imaging, and AI editing.
Contributors shared a diverse range of photographs during the 2023 celebration, showcasing the timeless influence of photography as both an art form and tool for communication. Some of the notable contributions included:
- Artistic imagery such as Reuben Wu’s drone and light-painted landscapes that redefine creative possibilities.
- Documentary and journalistic photos that highlight social issues, history, and natural beauty, including images from national parks which emphasize conservation and heritage.
- Personal favourite photographs aligned with the 2025 theme ("My Favorite Photo"), reflecting the intimate relationship between people and photography and its democratization in the digital era through social media sharing.
In addition to these contributions, several photographers shared their work, showcasing their unique styles and specialties. For instance, Andy Holloway, a portrait and documentary photographer, self-published a book on UK Teddy Boys (The Ted Project) and had his work featured in the RPS Summer Exhibition. His photograph "Holidays at Home" was taken at Orford Ness in June. Holloway can be found on Instagram as @andyhollowayphoto, and his website is www.andyhollowayphoto.co.uk.
Ali Marley shared a photograph of a puffin on Lunga, using an OM System Olympus OM-1 camera and M. Zuiko 300mm + MC-14. Wendy Sadler took a photograph of puffins at Bempton Cliffs in Yorkshire. Tanya Liepins shared a photograph of a Flat Sea Holly using a Nikon Z6 camera and a Z mount 50mm Macro Lens. Gerry O'Donnell uses a Canon EOS 7D Mark II camera with a 100-400mm lens and a 1.4 x extender for his photography, and his photograph "Into the Mystic" was taken in a seaside town in Ireland and features two men on a boat.
Pete Scott, who spends time with fox families at various locations for photography, captured a photograph of a fox sitting among bluebells in Poole. Ross Tomkins shared a photograph of a Formula 1 car at the 80th Goodwood Members Meeting, using a Canon EOS R7 camera. Paul Galletly shared a photograph of an aircraft over St Paul's Cathedral.
World Photography Day provides a platform for photographers—amateur and professional alike—to share impactful images, participate in exhibitions, workshops, and competitions globally, and celebrate photography’s role in shaping culture and understanding. The day also serves as a reminder of the pioneers and innovators who have shaped the field, including Louis Daguerre, the inventor of the daguerreotype.
AP can be followed on various social media platforms, including Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, and TikTok. For more information about getting involved with AP and seeing photos published, visit the provided link.
On this special occasion of World Photography Day, the home-and-garden enthusiasts and lifestyle aficionados mightfind inspiration in Wendy Sadler's photograph of puffins at Bempton Cliffs in Yorkshire, captured through the lens of her camera. Celebrations extended beyond art and journalism, as contributed photographs like Gerry O'Donnell's "Into the Mystic", taken with a Canon EOS 7D Mark II, redefined the boundaries of photographic styles and specialties.
