Untitled 1860 - 1894

This photograph, by Francis Bedford, captures a watermill, and was made using the collodion process. This technique involved coating a glass plate with a light-sensitive chemical emulsion. The plate then had to be exposed and developed while still wet, demanding speed and skill. The image’s tonal range gives a soft, almost dreamy quality to the scene. The rough texture of the mill's stone and thatch is beautifully rendered, contrasted with the smooth, flowing water. Bedford was celebrated for his ability to combine picturesque views with technical precision, documenting architecture and landscapes across Britain and Europe. In this image, it is easy to see the romantic appeal of pre-industrial labour; mills like these represent a time before mass production. This photograph, far from being a straightforward record, prompts us to consider the changing landscape of work and technology in the 19th century. It reminds us that even seemingly objective images are shaped by the social and technological contexts of their making.