Ely Cathedral: Nave, to West c. 1891

Frederick H. Evans made this photograph of Ely Cathedral using a platinum print process. This painstaking technique, popular among pictorialist photographers, involved coating paper with light-sensitive chemicals and exposing it to a negative under bright light. Notice the remarkable tonal range achieved through this method. From the deep shadows to the delicate highlights, the platinum print captures the cathedral's vast interior with stunning clarity. The choice of platinum, rather than silver, speaks volumes; the process was favored for its archival qualities and soft, matte surface, lending the image a timeless, almost ethereal quality. This wasn't just about documenting architecture; it was about elevating photography to the level of fine art. Evans embraced a laborious, handcrafted approach, resisting the drive toward mass production. In doing so, he celebrated the inherent beauty of both the subject and the medium itself.