Ausable Chasm - Up the River from Table Rock c. 1880

Seneca Ray Stoddard created this photograph, “Ausable Chasm - Up the River from Table Rock,” using the wet collodion process. This was a popular method in the 19th century, where photographers coated a glass plate with light-sensitive chemicals, exposed it in the camera, and then developed it immediately. This technique demanded a portable darkroom, adding a layer of labor to the already complex task of capturing landscape. The final print, mounted on card, emphasizes the tonal range achieved through the wet collodion process, allowing Stoddard to capture the chasm's texture and depth. The choice of this location is also significant. Ausable Chasm was, and still is, a popular tourist destination. This photograph reflects the growing market for scenic views and the developing infrastructure of leisure in the late 19th century. Stoddard wasn’t just making art; he was participating in the construction of a tourist experience, selling both images and the promise of seeing this sublime landscape for oneself.