Donner Lake. C. P. R. R 1876 - 1880

Carleton Watkins created this photograph, “Donner Lake. C. P. R. R.” using the wet plate collodion process, a technique that was both artistry and chemistry. Watkins’ choice of photography places this artwork squarely in the industrial age, yet his subject is the natural landscape. The photograph is shaped by the ambitions of the Central Pacific Railroad, as seen in the initials in the title itself, a feat of engineering and human labor carving through the wilderness. The tones emphasize the rugged terrain, with the railroad's mark subtly etched into the landscape. The round format softens the industrial narrative and the labor involved in shaping the terrain. It offers a panoramic gaze reminiscent of landscape painting. Watkins, through his craft, finds a balance, inviting us to see the beauty alongside the costs of progress. In this way, the image encourages a conversation about the impact of industry on nature, challenging conventional notions of progress and preservation.