The world's first camera, a sliding wooden box, along with over 20 cameras of early times is on display, May 22, 2009.(Photo: people.com.cn) Photo Gallery>>>

    MACAO, May 22 (Xinhua) -- Entitled "The Invention of Photography and the Earliest Photographs of Macao, China", an exhibition showcasing old photos and cameras, including the world's first camera, was opened Friday at the Macao Museum.

    The exhibition, which will last till August 23, was co- organized by the Macao Museum and the Nicephore Niepce Museum in France. A total of 250 photography antiques and 180 old photos, which were collections lent by the Nicephore Niepce Museum and 12 other museums, cultural institutions and private collectors in France, the UK, the U.S. and Macao, according to the Cultural Institute of the Macao Special Administrative Region (SAR), which runs the Macao Museum.

    The world's first camera, a sliding wooden box, along with over 20 cameras of early times were borrowed from the Nicephore Niepce Museum. As for photos, some of Macao's earliest photos, such as "A- Ma Temple, Macao" ,"Praia Grande", and other landscape shootings on daguerreotype, were on display in the exhibition.

    It was until 1827 did Frenchman Joseph Nicphore Nipce successfully fixed image on a metal plate for the first time in human history, making himself the "father of photography". Photography was later introduced to China from France via Macao, as the earliest photos of China presently found were taken in Macao in 1844 by Jules Itier from France, according to the information from the organizer of the exhibition.