Caswell Bay with Proldie Point 1853 - 1856

James Knight made this photograph of Caswell Bay with Proldie Point using the dry collodion process. Seaside photography in the 19th century wasn't just about capturing pretty scenes. It emerged alongside the rise of seaside resorts, fueled by industrialization and the expansion of leisure time for the middle classes. Knight's choice of the dry collodion process is significant. It allowed photographers to prepare their plates in advance, making outdoor photography more practical. This image likely catered to a growing market for scenic views, feeding into the Victorian fascination with landscape and the picturesque. By studying Knight's life, the photographic societies he might have been a part of, and the publications that circulated these images, we can understand the social and institutional contexts that shaped this seemingly simple photograph. Art history is about uncovering these layers of meaning.