Stoomschip op Lake George, New York, Verenigde Staten 1868 - 1873

Curator: What strikes me most about this albumen print, entitled "Stoomschip op Lake George, New York, Verenigde Staten," by Seneca Ray Stoddard, made between 1868 and 1873, is how it documents a specific moment of American leisure culture being developed. Editor: It’s the incredible tonal range that initially captivates. The muted sepia and creamy paper feel both dreamlike and factual. Notice how the composition emphasizes the steamship cutting through the calm waters of the lake. Curator: Precisely. This image appeared during a transformative period. The proliferation of steamships and photography together fueled the expansion of tourism and shaped perceptions of landscape as commodity. Editor: The repetition within this stereoscopic image is brilliant, too. The subtly differing viewpoints give depth and really make the boat appear to sit within the space between us. Curator: Stoddard was keenly aware of this growing market. His landscape photography catered to the burgeoning middle class who now had access to affordable travel. Photography made faraway destinations attainable. It really democratized imagery. Editor: I see that democratization, but also the control afforded by a very definite compositional order, an interesting balance. There's the immediate horizontal plane of the water broken vertically by the stack, repeated on either side; plus the slight echo of the mountain range in the distance. Curator: Certainly, there’s a curated picturesque-ness about the photograph. Stoddard actively promoted tourism through these images, in effect, manufacturing a desire for an “authentic” experience of nature while actively participating in its alteration. Editor: I concede to your point that even idyllic nature scenes have a historical background and a role within systems of power. Seeing that interplay brings the image alive and allows us to consider its role. Curator: Exactly. Analyzing how images function provides unique access into our past. It's really more than just appearances. Editor: Right, for me, this exercise reveals how a photograph’s appeal stems from carefully considered arrangement, with tone, composition, and form giving it much of its emotional power.