Over the years the methods of creating photographic imagery evolved. Rather than using a direct plate to create a positive image, gelatin-based film was being widely used. A chemical solution that contained randomly displaced silver halide crystals applied to the emulsion side of the film. These crystals partially reacted to light, and then fully reacted when developed and fixed, thus creating the negative. Because of this method, (of a chemical reaction to light) the term "Photography" kept its traditional sense throughout most of the 20th Century.

However, as early as the 1950's digital technology was already creating the beginning of the photographic world. The first drum scanners, photocopiers and video all dealt with creating a binary or digital code of data. Most importantly, digital technology advanced space exploration and satellite capability for transmitting images back to Earth.