Postkantoor op de hoek van Arahoe Street in Denver c. 1860 - 1900

William Henry Jackson captured this image of the Post Office on the corner of Arahoe Street in Denver using photographic techniques that were both innovative and labor-intensive for the time. Looking at the sepia tones and the sharp details, consider the wet collodion process he likely employed. This involved coating a glass plate with chemicals, exposing it in the camera while still wet, and then developing it immediately. The immediacy required great skill, and the result was a highly detailed negative. This process, while enabling Jackson to document the rapid growth of American cities, also speaks to the socio-economic context. It hints at the rise of industrial capitalism and the increasing demand for visual records of progress and expansion. The photograph itself becomes a commodity, reflecting the era's ambition and transformation of landscape and society, and the skilled labour required to produce it. By understanding the materials and processes involved, we gain insight into the cultural values and technological advancements of the era. It’s a reminder that every image, even a seemingly straightforward depiction, is deeply embedded in its time.