Bouquet river 1893

Seneca Ray Stoddard made this photograph of the Bouquet River as part of a published report, likely in the late 19th century. It's a straight-forward image, and typical of the period. Yet its directness gives us a chance to think about what goes into making a picture like this. The collodion process, which Stoddard would likely have used, was a demanding one. Each glass plate had to be carefully prepared with light-sensitive emulsion immediately before exposure, then developed right after. So, this image represents a serious investment of time and skill. Consider also the social context. Stoddard’s photographs were often commissioned by railway companies and tourism boards, contributing to the promotion and consumption of landscape. The making of this image wasn't just a personal artistic endeavor, but part of a larger commercial operation. So it shows the relationship between aesthetic appreciation, industrialization, and our changing relationship with the environment.