Pueblo of Wolpi before 1881

This albumen print, “Pueblo of Wolpi,” was captured by John Karl Hillers. The photograph freezes a moment in time using a process that required both technical skill and patience, illustrating the intersection of chemistry and artistry. Hillers' choice of the albumen process – using egg whites to bind the photographic chemicals to the paper – speaks to the material constraints and available technologies of the late 19th century. The photograph's sepia tones are a direct result of the materials used and the way light interacts with the silver particles embedded in the albumen layer. Consider the labor involved: from preparing the paper with a delicate emulsion, to the precise timing of the exposure in harsh environments. Hillers was tasked to document indigenous peoples by the U.S. Geological Survey, and this image serves as more than just a visual record; it's a document of a culture, captured through a lens of its time, and is a testament to the intersection of art, science, and social history.