[Tents, Algeria] 1856

John Beasley Greene made this photograph, Tents, Algeria, using the collodion process, a relatively new technology at the time. A glass plate was coated with a light-sensitive emulsion, exposed in the camera, and developed immediately. The photograph's sepia tones are a direct result of the chemical process involved. Look at the subtle gradations of light and shadow, capturing the texture of the tents and the surrounding landscape. This process, while scientific, demanded a degree of skill and artistry. Greene would have needed to carefully control the exposure time and the chemical solutions to achieve this level of detail. The collodion process, while innovative, was also labor-intensive, requiring the photographer to be both scientist and artist. This image reminds us that all forms of art are shaped by the materials and processes used to create them, and the social conditions of their making.