While cameras were used to record both the Crimea War, and the American Civil War as early as the 1850's and the 1860's respectively, the equipment was cumbersome, cameras were large and they used glass plates to record the images. Both the film and the camera shutter speeds were extremely slow, so therefore the images had to be static, as any movement would blur the final image. Photography was reserved to a few professionals with the training and equipement. Public interest, while strong at first waned soon after, to the point that photographic glass plates were commonly used in place of clear glass in green house windows.
    By the beginning of WW 1 the camera was massed produced. They were small, easy to use, and widely owned by everyday citizens . Taking “snapshots” was a common activity of peace time society that naturally carried over to the war. Combatants on all sides of the conflict and in every theater used cameras to record the war and their lives as soldiers. While the authorities tried to discourage and limit the troops’ right to possess and use cameras, they could not completely regulate their usage or the dissemination of the images produced. As a result a vast quantity of these photos still exist today.
    Cameras also found their way on to another new technology of the age, the airplane. Airplanes first made their appearance in the war used mainly for reconnaissance. Military leaders on all sides were slow to see the offensive, tactical advantages of the airplane, but they realized right away the ability that the airplane provided to both see down into the enemy’s trenches and scout behind the lines. Aerial photography became a valuable tool, and was used by all sides of the conflict. It was particularly useful on the western front, where camera mounted planes where an especially effective way to study the enemy trenches for changes and strength.                                                                 WW1 also saw the advent of the motion picture camera. These cameras were difficult to use, which limited their availability to professional film makers. While limited in numbers and difficult to produce “live”action depictions of the war, were popular with the public. Many short films were produced and still exist today. At the same time, "staged" recreations of battle were also common, because they were easier to produce.