From above the Sulden Hotel; Königspitze is S. by W. 1905

Curator: This is "From above the Sulden Hotel; Königspitze is S. by W.", a photograph by the Bachrendt Bros., currently residing at the Harvard Art Museums. The image size is about 20 by 26 centimeters. Editor: It has a striking, almost severe beauty. The stark contrast between the dark pines and the snow-capped peaks creates a really dramatic composition. Curator: Absolutely. We see a clear attention to materials here. The photographic process itself, the developing and printing, has produced this particular range of tones. The labor involved in creating such an image in a remote location also needs recognition. Editor: And consider the socio-political backdrop. Tourism to these regions was becoming increasingly popular, influencing both local economies and the way landscapes were perceived and commodified. This image then becomes a document of that specific moment in time. Curator: Precisely. Thinking about the choices made in production can reveal how the Bachrendt Bros. shaped the experience of this landscape for their viewers. Editor: Seeing this photograph makes me think about how photography, then and now, influences our relationship with nature. Curator: Yes, it highlights how the medium itself can shape perceptions. Editor: It has certainly given me much to consider about our interactions with landscape.