Washington Tower, Yosemite 1870 - 1874

Editor: So, this is Carleton Watkins’ "Washington Tower, Yosemite," taken between 1870 and 1874. It's a landscape photograph, and the detail is just stunning. The reflection of the mountains in the river...it feels very serene. How would you approach thinking about this photograph? Curator: Immediately, I consider the material conditions of its production. This wasn't a simple snapshot; it was made using the wet plate collodion process. Think about the labor involved – preparing the chemicals, transporting the darkroom tent to Yosemite, the exposures... all before photography became easily accessible. How does this impact your view of the photograph? Editor: Wow, I hadn’t thought of it like that. Knowing how laborious the process was makes me appreciate the image more. The scale too, becomes a testament to his commitment, I guess? Curator: Precisely. And what about the social context? These photographs were instrumental in promoting Yosemite as a national park, inviting consumption and preservation through the dissemination of images. This land was not simply “discovered”; it was known and lived on by indigenous peoples. Does Watkins’ photograph acknowledge or erase that history? Editor: That's a critical point. It highlights the role of photography in shaping our understanding and relationship with the natural world, often overlooking its pre-colonial history. What are we consuming when we look at this “untouched” landscape? Curator: Exactly. Watkins' labor intersects with promotional campaigns and shifts in environmental policy. It invites us to critically assess how aesthetics become intertwined with commerce and control. Editor: So it’s not just about appreciating the pretty picture but also about understanding the layers of labor, intent, and historical context involved in its making and consumption. I learned that there is no "pretty picture", if not contextualized! Curator: Absolutely! And seeing beyond the surface helps us better understand both the image and our own role in its continuous construction and reinterpretation.