Zero Baseline of Photography
From First to Future

by Patricia von Ah

Zero Baseline of Photography is a public research platform documenting over 40 first photographs, scientific and artistic, across 200 years of the medium. From Niépce's 1827 view from a window at Le Gras to the first image of a black hole, each entry marks a moment when photography changed what was known to be possible. The platform, founded by Patricia von Ah, launches into the medium's bicentennial year as a reference for researchers, educators, institutions, and anyone interested in where photography came from and where it goes next.

Presented at photo basel ahead of photography’s bicentennial beginning in 2026/27.

Explore the platform at zerobaseline.com