31 Exeter, Cottages at Countess Weir 1860 - 1894

Francis Bedford made this photograph, "31 Exeter, Cottages at Countess Weir," sometime in the mid-19th century using the wet collodion process. This technique, popular at the time, involved coating a glass plate with a light-sensitive chemical emulsion right before exposure in the camera. What makes this image interesting is how it captures not just a scene, but a way of life tied to specific materials and making traditions. Look at the thatched roofs of the cottages, made from locally sourced straw, meticulously layered to provide insulation and weather protection. That’s a labor-intensive craft. The wattle fencing and the rough-hewn timber tell a story of a community reliant on their immediate environment and the skills passed down through generations. Bedford’s choice of photography as a medium – a relatively new technology at the time – allows us to see these cottages with incredible detail. Yet, it's important to remember that photography itself is a product of industrialization and the rise of mass production. This artwork prompts us to reflect on the intersection of traditional crafts and new technologies.