High Rocks in Tunbridge Wells, Engeland 1861 - 1862

This stereoscopic photograph, "High Rocks in Tunbridge Wells," was made by Emil Seelig. The photographic process itself is key to understanding this image, especially when it is presented in the stereoscopic format. This technique was popular in the 19th century, creating a 3D effect when viewed through a special device. The labour involved in photography is frequently overlooked, but the photographer has to master the alchemy of chemicals, timing, and light. This image is about commerce as much as art. In the 19th century, railways made remote landscapes accessible. Tourism boomed, and with it, the market for souvenir photographs like this one. The stereoscopic format enhanced the sense of ‘being there’, and making the experience of tourism a commodity to be consumed again and again.