Scinde Valley, View Near Gugangair c. 1867

Curator: This is Samuel Bourne's "Scinde Valley, View Near Gugangair," a photograph of truly impressive scale. The image itself is quite large, but the mounted work is nearly two feet tall. Editor: It’s stunning, almost overwhelming. The light seems to cling to the crags of that central peak, contrasting with the shadowed depths of the valley. Curator: Bourne was part of a wave of British photographers who documented India in the 19th century. Consider the logistical challenges of transporting the wet collodion process equipment to such remote locations. It underscores the colonial project of mapping and claiming territory through photographic representation. Editor: Absolutely. The labor involved is crucial to understanding the work. And think about the chemistry itself, the silver salts reacting to light, a process both scientific and alchemic. It speaks to the material transformation inherent in image-making. Curator: Indeed. It also served to legitimize British presence in the region for viewers back home. Editor: Thinking about the layers of landscape, labor, and legacy here is vital to appreciating this work. Curator: I agree, and the ways in which photography played a key role in shaping public perception of the Empire.