Sawing fallen trees into logs 1894

Editor: Here we have “Sawing Fallen Trees into Logs,” a gelatin-silver print dating back to 1894, created by G.H. Rison. The photograph gives off quite a gloomy mood. It’s all monochrome and features an inside view, looking out towards what appears to be a thickly forested area. What catches your eye when you look at this piece? Curator: It reminds me of peering into the past, you know? This image isn't just a depiction of labour, it is a commentary of the landscape being shaped by the needs of people in the late 19th century. Look how the monochrome tones enhance the feeling of distance, of another time. Notice the textures – the rough-hewn logs, the dense foliage. What do you think Rison was trying to communicate about our relationship with nature through his choice of stark, unforgiving imagery? Editor: Well, it makes you consider the impact we have. The stark contrast highlights the sheer volume of trees cut down, almost to an overwhelming point. It certainly encourages a moment of reflection. The photograph shows a scene with an underlying question. Do you feel like he was maybe trying to show us what it’s like to have no relationship at all, with respect towards nature? Curator: That is astute! Perhaps he’s presenting a question rather than an answer. The composition invites you to look through this clearing, prompting that unsettling feeling about the exploitation and the consumption of the landscape. I do appreciate your sentiment about considering what is, as much as what has passed by. The history it holds is hard to disagree with! Editor: Definitely given me some new food for thought! Thank you for providing your own interesting insight. Curator: And thank you for opening my eyes to the ecological question at the center. A great journey back in time through a lens indeed!