The Captain of the Rio Virgen, Utah c. 1870

Editor: This is "The Captain of the Rio Virgen, Utah," a photograph by John K. Hillers. The textures of the rock and trees are incredible, but the river looks almost like silk. What strikes you about this image? Curator: The albumen print process itself is key here. The materiality of the image, built from layers of silver salts on paper, transforms the landscape into a commodity. Hillers, working for the U.S. Geological Survey, wasn't just capturing scenery; he was participating in the visual claiming and resource mapping of the West. Editor: So, the act of creating the image becomes a form of labor, linked to the exploitation of natural resources? Curator: Exactly. And consider the scale of the final print, the labor involved. It’s not simply a document; it’s a produced object, tied to broader economic and political forces. Editor: I never considered the labor involved in creating these early photographs. Curator: Thinking about the materials and how they were deployed offers a new perspective.