Kulu Valley, Below Rusala c. 1867

Editor: Samuel Bourne's "Kulu Valley, Below Rusala," an undated photograph, presents a fascinating view. The terraced landscape really strikes me. What do you see in how Bourne captured this scene? Curator: The photograph speaks to the industrialization of photography itself. Consider the laborious process Bourne undertook, transporting bulky equipment and hazardous chemicals to remote locations. This image isn't just a landscape; it's a document of colonial-era resource extraction and the visual consumption of the 'exotic' by a Western audience. How does this awareness change your perception? Editor: It definitely adds a layer of complexity, thinking about the resources and labor involved in creating this seemingly serene image. I see it differently now. Thanks! Curator: Indeed, the photograph's materiality and context reveal much about the socio-economic dynamics of its time.