Old Fort 1959 - 1974

James Wallace Black made this photograph, "Old Fort," using the wet collodion process. It was a popular method in the mid-19th century. The process involves coating a glass plate with chemicals, exposing it in the camera while still wet, and then developing it immediately. Look closely at the image and you can sense how this painstaking process influenced its appearance. The collodion creates a distinctive tonal range, with soft gradations and a slightly dreamy quality. Black’s decision to use this technique was not merely aesthetic; it was tied to the wider social context of the time. Photography was becoming more accessible, yet it still required skill and specialized knowledge. This combination of accessibility and technical expertise meant that photographers like Black played a crucial role in documenting the changing world. Photographs such as these challenge any firm distinction between fine art and craft. They serve as reminders of the labor, skill, and social context embedded in every image.