Sulphur Creek and Road to Geysers 1868 - 1870

Curator: "Sulphur Creek and Road to Geysers," captured between 1868 and 1870 by Carleton Watkins. This gelatin silver print showcases Watkins' mastery of landscape photography. Editor: Wow, it feels incredibly…exposed, doesn't it? Stark and yet teeming with something…unresolved. The way the path cuts so sharply across that slope gives me the chills. Curator: Watkins was documenting the American West at a pivotal time, particularly its rapidly changing landscape due to resource extraction. These images were used to promote investment in the region, and as an assertion of Manifest Destiny. Editor: See, it’s the sulfur I’m getting—that undercurrent of something both beautiful and a little rotten. It reminds me of stories, of journeys that are both transformative and, well, potentially toxic. Curator: The composition leads the eye down that road, literally paving the way for industry, but also shaping our understanding of this area as a resource to be exploited, impacting the local environments and inhabitants. Watkins’ images played a significant role in shaping perceptions of the West. Editor: Absolutely. There’s a grandeur, of course. You can't help but admire the vista but even on this relatively small print, I can see this sort of gritty determination chiseled in every contour. It's like looking into the ambitions and consequences. A very potent mix. Curator: It speaks volumes about how photography can be instrumental in promoting a certain vision, shaping our understanding of landscape and place. Editor: Makes you think about how our own photos, every filtered landscape, is pushing an agenda. I think Carleton would have a field day on Instagram! A sublime but unnerving perspective, nonetheless. Thanks for showing it.