34 Different First Photos Throughout the History of Photography
Photography has always been more than just capturing moments—it’s about freezing history, unveiling the unknown, and pushing the limits of technology.
From the first grainy black-and-white images to the mind-blowing deep-space photos of today, photography has transformed the way we see and understand the world.
Each of these pioneering images represents a turning point in visual storytelling, proving that sometimes, one photograph can change everything.
Get ready to explore 34 trailblazing photographs that paved the way for modern photography—one historic snapshot at a time! 📸
1. First Digital Photograph
In 1957, Russell Kirsch forever changed photography by capturing the first digital image—an iconic snapshot of his infant son.
This tiny 176×176-pixel photograph was the beginning of digital imaging, proving that pictures could be stored as data rather than just printed on film.
It may not look like much today, but this low-resolution milestone laid the foundation for everything from smartphone cameras to high-definition space photography.
Without Kirsch’s work, your camera roll might not even exist.
2. First Photograph Ever Taken
In 1826, Joseph Nicéphore Niépce stunned the world by capturing the first known photograph, “View from the Window at Le Gras.”
Unlike modern pictures that take milliseconds, this photo required an eight-hour exposure, meaning the sunlight shifted across the image as it was being captured.
While blurry by today’s standards, this image proved that moments could be permanently preserved on a surface—the birth of photography as we know it.
From this single picture, an entire industry of art, journalism, and science was born.
3. First Color Photograph
In 1861, Scottish physicist James Clerk Maxwell introduced the world to color photography with an image of a tartan ribbon.
Using a clever technique of shooting through red, green, and blue filters, he combined the images to create a full-color photograph—the very first of its kind.
This breakthrough proved that vibrant, realistic colors could be captured and reproduced, paving the way for everything from Polaroids to modern digital photography.
It may have been just a piece of fabric, but this snapshot changed photography forever.
4. First Aerial Photograph
Long before drones, James Wallace Black snapped the first aerial photograph in 1860 from a hot air balloon over Boston.
Titled “Boston, as the Eagle and the Wild Goose See It,” this stunning image offered a bird’s-eye view of the city, a perspective no one had ever seen before.
This bold experiment laid the foundation for everything from satellite imagery to Google Maps, proving that photography wasn’t limited to ground level.
The sky was now the limit.
5. First Underwater Photograph
In 1856, William Thompson did the impossible—he took the first-ever underwater photograph.
Using a waterproof box to protect his camera, Thompson lowered his equipment into the depths, capturing a grainy yet historic image of marine life.
His work was the first step toward underwater photography and ocean exploration, paving the way for today’s stunning coral reef and deep-sea images.
Thanks to pioneers like Thompson, we now have entire documentaries filmed beneath the waves.
6. First Photograph of the Moon
In 1840, John William Draper captured the first detailed photograph of the moon, bringing space photography to life.
Using a daguerreotype camera, he managed to capture the moon’s craters and surface details for the first time in history.
This pioneering shot was the start of astronomical photography, leading to stunning images of distant galaxies and planets.
From Draper’s modest attempt to NASA’s high-resolution space telescopes, moon photography has come a long way.
7. First Selfie
Move over, influencers—Robert Cornelius took the world’s first selfie way back in 1839!
Using a daguerreotype camera, Cornelius set up his shot, ran into position, and sat still for a full minute before the exposure completed.
The result? A slightly blurry but historically groundbreaking self-portrait.
Cornelius didn’t just take a casual snapshot—he pioneered an art form that now dominates social media.
8. First News Photograph
In 1848, photography became a tool for journalism when an unknown photographer captured the June Days Uprising in Paris.
This grainy but impactful image was the first known news photograph, marking the beginning of photojournalism as we know it.
For the first time, events weren’t just written about—they were visually documented, bringing people closer to the action than ever before.
Today, photography remains one of the most powerful storytelling tools in the world.
9. First Photograph of a Volcano Eruption
In the late 19th century, an unknown photographer captured the raw power of a volcanic eruption for the first time.
This awe-inspiring image showcased billowing smoke, molten lava, and nature’s untamed fury, giving people their first visual glimpse of one of Earth’s most dramatic phenomena.
Before this, eruptions had only been described in text and paintings, but this photograph brought volcanic power to life in a way never seen before.
It paved the way for modern volcano monitoring, proving that a single image can provide critical scientific insights.
10. First Photograph of a President
In 1849, James K. Polk became the first sitting U.S. president to have his photo taken, marking a new era of political imagery.
Before this, world leaders were immortalized through paintings, often idealized versions of themselves. But photography changed that, offering an unfiltered glimpse into the lives of the powerful.
Polk’s photograph set a precedent—future presidents would no longer be remembered only through artistic interpretations but through actual portraits, bringing them closer to the people.
Today, every political moment is captured instantly, all thanks to this one historic shot.
11. First Photograph Taken in Space
In 1946, a V-2 rocket launched by the United States captured the first-ever photograph from space.
Shot from an altitude of 65 miles (104 km), this black-and-white image showed Earth’s horizon curving beneath the endless void.
Before this, no human had ever seen what our planet looked like from above—a sight now familiar, but in 1946, it was pure science fiction made real.
This pioneering image laid the groundwork for satellite imagery, space exploration, and even Google Earth.
12. First X-ray Photograph
In 1895, Wilhelm Röntgen made medical history by capturing the first X-ray photograph—an image of his wife’s hand.
When she saw her bones and wedding ring on the film, she reportedly said, “I have seen my own death.”
This haunting yet groundbreaking image revolutionized medicine overnight, allowing doctors to look inside the human body without surgery for the first time.
Today, X-rays are an essential part of healthcare, but it all started with this single eerie photograph.
13. First Photograph of a Tornado
In 1884, a brave (or possibly reckless) photographer in Kansas captured history’s first known photograph of a tornado.
With a swirling funnel looming in the distance, this rare image was the first visual proof of nature’s deadliest storm.
Before this, tornadoes were only described by word-of-mouth, making this photo a game-changer for meteorology.
It paved the way for storm tracking, tornado research, and modern weather forecasting, showing that photography wasn’t just about art—it could save lives.
14. First Photograph of Earth from the Moon
In 1966, NASA’s Lunar Orbiter 1 snapped the first-ever photograph of Earth from the Moon’s surface.
This stunning image showed our planet as a small, fragile blue sphere against the vast blackness of space.
For the first time, humanity could see its home from an entirely new perspective—a moment that fueled environmental awareness and space exploration alike.
It was this very image that inspired the famous “Earthrise” photograph, which became an iconic symbol of Earth’s beauty and vulnerability.
15. First Photograph of a Black Hole
In 2019, scientists used the Event Horizon Telescope to capture the first-ever image of a black hole.
Long predicted by Einstein’s theory of relativity, black holes had never been seen—until this groundbreaking moment.
The eerie glowing ring of superheated gas surrounding a pitch-black void confirmed decades of theoretical physics.
This image proved that black holes aren’t just a cosmic mystery—they are real, and they shape the universe in ways we are just beginning to understand.
16. First Photograph of a Snowflake
In 1885, Wilson Bentley became the first person to photograph a snowflake, revealing its stunning six-sided symmetry.
Before Bentley’s work, no one knew what a snowflake really looked like up close.
His groundbreaking macro-photography techniques showed that every single snowflake is unique, a concept that still fascinates scientists and artists today.
Bentley’s photographs laid the foundation for modern crystallography, weather science, and even the artistic appreciation of nature’s tiniest masterpieces.
17. First Photograph of a Solar Eclipse
In 1851, Johann Julius Friedrich Berkowski captured the first photograph of a total solar eclipse, unveiling the sun’s hidden beauty.
Using a daguerreotype camera, Berkowski documented the sun’s corona for the first time, revealing the breathtaking halo of light that surrounds it during totality.
This image was a monumental achievement in both astronomy and photography, paving the way for modern eclipse studies.
Today, photographers and scientists continue to capture eclipses, but this first attempt remains a groundbreaking moment in celestial observation.
18. First Photograph of Lightning
Capturing something as fleeting as a lightning bolt seemed impossible—until 1882, when William Jennings proved otherwise.
Using an early photographic plate and a long exposure, Jennings captured the raw power of nature in a single frame.
His groundbreaking image revolutionized meteorology, allowing scientists to study the intricate patterns and unpredictable behavior of lightning.
Even today, storm chasers and photographers are inspired by Jennings’s pioneering work, seeking to capture nature’s electric fury.
19. First Photograph of the Sun
In 1845, Louis Fizeau and Léon Foucault successfully photographed the sun for the first time, revealing its textured surface.
Their image, taken with an early photographic plate, captured dark sunspots, offering a new way to study solar activity.
This historic photograph paved the way for future advancements in space observation, eventually leading to the high-resolution solar imagery we have today.
What started as a grainy image of a distant star has since evolved into detailed studies of solar flares, sunspots, and cosmic activity.
20. First Photograph of a Person
In 1838, Louis Daguerre unknowingly captured the first photograph of a person—completely by accident!
His image, titled “Boulevard du Temple,” shows a Parisian street scene, but due to the long exposure time, most moving objects disappeared.
However, in the lower left corner, a man having his shoes shined remained still long enough to be immortalized in history.
This unintentional snapshot of daily life was the first step toward the portrait photography we take for granted today.
21. First Color Photograph of Mars
In 1976, NASA’s Viking 1 lander transmitted the color photo of Mars from the planet’s surface.
This photograph revealed a barren, rocky landscape—the first close-up look at the Red Planet.
For the first time, humanity could see another world through a camera lens, igniting dreams of interplanetary exploration.
Since then, rovers and orbiters have continued to document Mars, but this historic image remains a pioneering moment in space exploration.
22. First Photograph of the Milky Way
In 1888, Isaac Roberts captured the first photograph of the Milky Way, revealing the galaxy’s spiral structure for the first time.
Using long exposure photography, Roberts created an image that showcased the complexity of our home galaxy.
This photograph was a revolutionary step forward in astrophotography, proving that our universe was far larger and more intricate than previously imagined.
Today, modern telescopes build upon Roberts’s legacy, capturing breathtaking deep-space images that continue to expand our understanding of the cosmos.
23. First Photograph of a Total Lunar Eclipse
William Huggins made history in 1898 by capturing the first photograph of a total lunar eclipse.
This image showed the moon’s transformation from bright white to a deep red hue, a sight that had fascinated civilizations for centuries.
Huggins’s work allowed astronomers to analyze the light patterns of lunar eclipses, leading to new discoveries about Earth’s atmosphere.
Even today, his pioneering photograph serves as inspiration for lunar observers around the world.
24. First Photograph of an Atom
In 2008, scientists at Griffith University captured the first-ever photograph of a single atom.
Using advanced microscopic imaging, they photographed a ytterbium ion, proving that atoms—once thought to be invisible—could be seen with the right technology.
This milestone was a massive breakthrough in quantum physics, allowing researchers to better understand the fundamental building blocks of the universe.
What was once only theoretical could now be seen with the naked eye.
25. First Photograph of a Comet
In 1858, William Usherwood captured the first photograph of a comet, bringing celestial wonders into focus like never before.
Before this, comets were viewed as mysterious omens, but Usherwood’s image turned them into objects of scientific study.
This photo paved the way for future deep-space photography, allowing astronomers to track comets, asteroids, and distant planets with precision.
26. First Photograph of a Dinosaur Fossil
In 1858, the first photograph of a dinosaur fossil was taken, giving the world its first true glimpse of prehistoric giants.
This image made dinosaurs more than just a scientific theory—it made them real.
It fueled public fascination with paleontology, leading to museum exhibits, research breakthroughs, and even Hollywood’s love affair with dinosaurs.
27. First Photograph of the North Pole
The North Pole was long considered unreachable—until a camera captured its icy expanse for the first time in 1909.
Explorer Robert Peary and his team embarked on a grueling Arctic expedition, battling extreme cold to reach this elusive destination.
Their photograph of the frozen landscape was more than just an image—it was evidence of one of the greatest explorations of the early 20th century.
This historic snapshot not only documented an extreme environment but also marked a new chapter in human discovery.
28. First Photograph of DNA
One image changed the world of science forever—the first photograph of DNA, taken in 1952.
Captured by Rosalind Franklin using X-ray diffraction, this image—known as “Photo 51”—revealed the double-helix structure of DNA for the first time.
Though her contribution was long overlooked in favor of Watson and Crick, Franklin’s work was crucial to understanding genetics.
This photograph paved the way for genetic research, medical breakthroughs, and an entire field of molecular biology.
29. First Photograph of the New York City Skyline
New York City is known for its towering skyline, but its first-ever photograph captures a very different city.
Taken in the late 1800s, this historic image shows New York before its skyscrapers truly reached for the sky.
With shorter buildings and open spaces, this early photograph contrasts sharply with the modern city’s soaring architecture.
It serves as a reminder of how rapidly cities evolve, preserving a glimpse of New York before it became the metropolis we know today.
30. First Photograph of the Titanic Wreck
For over 70 years, the Titanic lay undiscovered beneath the ocean—until 1985, when the first photograph of its wreckage was taken.
Dr. Robert Ballard and his team used an advanced submersible to capture the haunting image of the Titanic’s rusted remains resting on the seafloor.
This photograph revived global fascination with the infamous tragedy, leading to further exploration, documentaries, and even Hollywood films.
It remains a powerful symbol of both human ambition and the unforgiving forces of nature.
31. First Photograph of the Great Wall of China
The first photograph of the Great Wall of China, taken in 1871, captured the sheer scale of this ancient wonder.
Before photography, most of the world only imagined what the Great Wall looked like. This photograph changed that forever.
Shot by British photographer Thomas Child, the image showcased the winding, weathered wall stretching across China’s rugged terrain.
It brought global attention to the architectural marvel and historical significance of the Great Wall, making it an icon recognized worldwide.
32. The Photo of the First Miss America
The Miss America pageant became a nationwide sensation, and its first winner was immortalized in a photograph in 1921.
At just 16 years old, Margaret Gorman became the first Miss America, symbolizing a new era of entertainment and beauty standards.
Her black-and-white portrait, featuring a modest swimsuit and sash, captures the elegance and simplicity of the time.
This photograph is a time capsule of the early 20th century, reflecting the birth of a cultural phenomenon that continues today.
33. The Photo of The First Democratically-Elected Female President
Vigdís Finnbogadóttir made history as the world’s first democratically elected female president in 1980.
This powerful photograph, taken at the Icelandic Parliament, captures a defining moment for gender equality in politics.
With a warm smile and undeniable confidence, Vigdís’s election paved the way for women in leadership worldwide.
Her victory inspired generations of female politicians, proving that leadership knows no gender.
34. The Photo of The First Skyscraper
The Home Insurance Building in Chicago, completed in 1885, is widely considered the world’s first skyscraper.
This sepia-toned photograph captures a city on the brink of modernization, with a revolutionary steel frame supporting its 10 stories.
While modest in height by today’s standards, this building set the foundation for the towering skylines we see across the globe today.
The image remains a symbol of innovation, progress, and the beginning of a new architectural era.