Mannen, kinderen en kamelen bij de Mozesfontein, vermoedelijk in Egypte c. 1870 - 1890

This photograph, "Mannen, kinderen en kamelen bij de Mozesfontein, vermoedelijk in Egypte," was taken by C. & G. Zangaki, using a process that was cutting-edge for its time. Photography in the 19th century involved a complex interplay of chemistry, light, and skilled labor. From preparing the glass plates with light-sensitive emulsions to precisely timing the exposure and developing the image, each step required meticulous attention. The final sepia tone gives the image a timeless quality, but it also speaks to the specific materials and processes used. Consider the social context, too. The Zangaki brothers were Greek photographers, who capitalized on the European fascination with the 'Orient', creating images for tourists and scholars alike. This photograph then, is not just a record of a place and its people, but also a product of a colonial gaze, filtered through the lens of commerce and cultural exchange. Appreciating the rich and multifaceted nature of image making, we can look beyond the surface and consider the complex history embedded in its very production.