Lower Yosemite Fall, 1,600 feet 1870 - 1874

This photograph, "Lower Yosemite Fall, 1,600 feet" was created by Carleton Watkins using the wet plate collodion process, a relatively new technology at the time. Consider the labor involved in creating this image; Watkins hauled his large-format camera and darkroom equipment into the Yosemite wilderness. He meticulously coated glass plates with light-sensitive chemicals right before exposure, a process demanding skill and precision. The resulting albumen print, made from egg whites, captures a stunning view of the waterfall, with remarkable detail and tonal range. The scale of the landscape, the texture of the rocks and trees, and the movement of the water all speak to the power of nature, yet this ‘natural’ scene is dependent on intensive labor and industrial chemistry. By considering the material processes behind this photograph, we can see how it not only reflects the beauty of Yosemite but also reveals the complex relationship between technology, labor, and the American landscape.