Straat in Jeruzalem vanuit de Jaffapoort 1867 - 1885

This photograph of a street in Jerusalem, taken by Félix Bonfils, dates back to the late 19th century, a time when the Middle East was becoming a popular subject for European photographers. Bonfils would have used a large format camera and the collodion process, which involved coating a glass plate with a light-sensitive emulsion. This was a labor-intensive process, requiring a portable darkroom to prepare and develop the plates on site. The final print is an albumen print, made by coating paper with egg white and silver nitrate, resulting in a glossy surface and fine detail. The tonal range in this image, from the bright highlights to the deep shadows, gives the photograph a rich texture, while the composition offers a glimpse into daily life. The very act of capturing this image, involving significant technical expertise and equipment, speaks to a burgeoning market for exotic views among Western consumers. The value of this photograph resides not only in its aesthetic qualities, but also in the labor and materials involved in its production, offering insight into the social and economic context of its creation.