Mt. Broderick and Nevada Fall. Fall = 700 ft. 1861

Carleton E. Watkins's "Mt. Broderick and Nevada Fall" (1861) is a striking example of 19th-century landscape photography. This image, now in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, captures the grandeur of Yosemite National Park, showcasing the towering Mt. Broderick and the cascading Nevada Fall. Watkins, a pioneer of large-format photography, utilized the collodion process to create a detailed and meticulously composed image, emphasizing the immense scale and raw beauty of the natural world. The photograph's stark contrast and detailed textures convey the ruggedness of the landscape, inviting viewers to experience the awe-inspiring power of nature.