In a Word "Photography"

"Photography" is based on the Greek word

φῶς (photos) "light" and γραφή (graphé)

"representation by means of lines" or "drawing",

together meaning "drawing with light". 

1839 Susse Freres daguerreotype camera (photo courtesy of http://most-expensive.net/camera-world)

The main differences between portraits of the early days of photography and today is that presently the medium of photography uses meaning, placement, angle and manipulation to create an illusion that is very persuasive to enforce social norms, it has never yielded so much political power in the masses. In contrast, the camera has also been a pivotal tool in the hands of those who have born witness to and been able to document the travesties and injustices of the human experience as well as the beautiful and sublime.

Ayers Rock in Uluru National Park a photograph by Mark Laricchia/Corbis  (photo courtesy of http://travel.nationalgeographic.com/travel/countries/australia-guide/)

Photographs from the 19^th century were limited to angles, focus and were only able to be narrowly manipulated.  Today there are countless advanced photo programs designed with the intention to manipulate the image and thus the meaning.  The new phenomena of image capturing quickly became popular and coveted by many who wished to have an image that could be kept and shared for ages. To this day the subject of photographs largely remains the same, as images of people, places and events are still a popular focus.  Access to cameras in this century continues to have a huge impact on who gets to take photographs, what the images are of and how quickly people around the globe can see them instantly. 

Daguerreotype Portrait of Louis Daguerre (1787–1851)
(inventor of the Daguerreotype camera)
 Photographer Jean-Baptiste Sabatier-Blot 1844
(photo courtesy of http://inventors.about.com/od/dstartinventions/a/Daguerreotype.htm)

In the 19th Century, with the emergence of the industrial revolution, many techniques of photo capturing were being tested and invented. Ones that became the pioneers to capture the image were the Waxed Claotype Negative, Albumen Print, Daguerreotype, Cyanotype, Wet colodion negative, Salted Paper Print and Carbon Print. Technology and materials have come far since their earlier predecessors.  In today’s vast market cameras come in a variety of styles, sizes and abilities. Until the creation of this technology, photographs were shot by exposing light sensitive photographic film, and used a timely process of chemical photographic processing to stabilize and develop the image. In comparison, today digital photographs can be printed, saved, viewed before keeping and printing, transmitted, manipulated, and stored on microchips using digital and computer techniques, and there’s no need for special rooms and lengthy chemical processing. This technology is now available to anyone and photos can be taken of anything and for any reason.  

19th century photography primarily was employed for capturing portraits of those with high social standing and the focus was mostly on humans. Photographers were few and far between,  and only a small amount of society were able to acquire a photographer to take their portrait. 

Photographer: Notman & Son Ltd.
Macdonald, John A. (John Alexander), Sir, 1815-1891.
(Photo courtesy of http://collectionscanada.gc.ca/pam_archives/index.php?fuseaction=genitem.displayItem&lang=eng&rec_nbr=3218706&rec_nbr_list=3333416,3218731,3218721,3218710,3218706,3400385,3332808,3250588,3623850,3332923)

 Presently, photography is popularized by the importance of media and image and made accessible to people all over the globe. Photos can be taken by professionals and amateurs alike of events, family, beloved pets, memorable places and even random pictures of their friend’s shoes.   

Photography began as a form of documenting and continues today pushing the boundaries and blurring the lines of reality and fiction even becoming a medium for artistic expression.  Sam Taylor-Wood's photo is a great example of modern photography pushing the boundaries of the photography process and expression

Photograph by Sam Taylor-Wood
(photo courtesy of http://www.balticmill.com/whatsOn/past/ExhibitionDetail.php?exhibID=48)