Photographers celebrate World Photography Day

Photographers all around the world are snapping away pictures in celebration of World Photography Day.

Every year on August 19th, people are invited to share their images, whether taken from an old photobook or snapped on their mobile phone, in celebration of this unique medium that has had a massive impact on humanity.

It originated organically, starting with a number of photographers gathering to celebrate their art form, before growing to be the global event it is today.

The official website explains that its ultimate origins come with the invention of the Daguerreotype, a photographic processes developed by Louis Daguerre.

It goes on to say: "On January 9th, 1839, the French Academy of Sciences announced the Daguerreotype process. A few months later, on August 19, 1839, the French government announced the invention as a gift "free to the world".

Because of this breakthrough, and the fact that the Calotype – another photographic process – was invented in the same year, 1839 is seen as the birth of photography.

Of his creation, Daguerre is quoted to have said: "I have seized the light. I have arrested its flight."