Photography is the art and practice of capturing images using a camera or other light sensitive devices. Photgraphs can be created using trasditional film cameras or digital cameras, and they can be used for a wide range of purposes, including artistic expression, scientific reasearch, documentation of events and commercial advertiing. The first permanent photograph was captured in 1826 (some sources say 1827) by Joseph Nicéphore Niépce in France. It shows the roof of a building lit by the sun.