What were people trying to accomplish in photography?

Question

I need this answer!

Answer 1

to capture that one very special moment in time. oh, and a nice picture too

Answer 2

Simply to document with accuracy. Anymore though, the accuracy can't be implied. Why do YOU take a photo? Isn't it so you can remember a thing or a person as it was many years down the road? It captures time in 2 dimensions.  

Answer 3

I would assume they are trying to take good pictures.