Gezicht op de Rainbow Falls te Manitou before 1874

This photograph of Rainbow Falls in Manitou, Colorado, was created by J. Collier, and mounted into a book. The production of photographs in the 19th century was no simple task. To make a print like this one, a photographer would have needed a portable darkroom, bulky camera, and a whole chemistry set. It was a laborious process, one that required considerable skill. That labour is further complicated by the way this image was then mounted into the book. The photograph is neatly trimmed, the edges of the book are gilded, and the combination makes for a precious object. Consider the social context of this photograph. Tourism in the late 19th century was a growing industry, and images like this one played a vital role in promoting the natural beauty of the American West. By understanding the processes and materials used to create this photograph, and the society it was made for, we can appreciate its significance as more than just a pretty picture.