Amerapoora: Portico of the Residency c. 1855

Linnaeus Tripe made this photograph of the Portico of the Residency in Amerapoora using the wet collodion process. This photographic method, which was cutting-edge for its time, involved coating a glass plate with light-sensitive chemicals, exposing it in the camera while still wet, and then developing it immediately. The resulting image is a testament to the photographer's skill, but also to the labor and precision demanded by this intricate process. Think about the social context: Tripe was working in colonial India, documenting architecture with a scientific eye. Yet, he did so with materials and methods that required the knowledge of local assistants. The photograph's sepia tones and soft focus enhance the portico's textures, from the thatched roof to the wooden structure. The architecture's design reflects a blend of local building traditions and colonial influences. It's a fascinating example of how materials, making, and social context come together to shape our understanding of a place and time.