Looking Up Pluto's Chimney 1865 - 1866

Carleton E. Watkins's "Looking up Pluto's Chimney," a striking albumen print from 1865-1866, showcases the photographer's mastery of capturing the grandeur of the American West. The image, likely taken in Yosemite Valley, focuses on the imposing, layered rock formations, their textures and contours emphasized by the stark contrast of light and shadow. Watkins's work, renowned for its meticulous detail and dramatic compositions, became instrumental in bringing the beauty of the West to a wider audience. This photograph exemplifies his ability to translate the vastness of nature into intimate, almost abstract, compositions.