Delhi, the Chandni-chowk, Principal Street in Delhi 1863 - 1866

Editor: So, this is Samuel Bourne's photograph, "Delhi, the Chandni-chowk, Principal Street in Delhi." It captures a street scene, and I'm struck by the stillness, despite it clearly being a public space. What do you see in this image? Curator: I see a carefully constructed narrative. Bourne, a British photographer, documented India during colonial rule. Consider the power dynamics at play. How does his Western gaze shape our understanding of this street, its people, and their daily lives? Editor: That's a good point, it does feel like a removed perspective. Curator: Exactly. Who is absent from this picture? Whose story isn't being told? Understanding the context is crucial to interpreting Bourne's work and its place within a complex history. Editor: I never considered the photographer's position as a lens. I'll definitely keep that in mind going forward. Curator: It reframes the whole image doesn't it!