Gezicht op Saint Peter Port in Guernsey 1880 - 1900

Editor: This is "Gezicht op Saint Peter Port in Guernsey" by Thomas Singleton, probably created sometime between 1880 and 1900. It's a gelatin-silver print photograph, and it gives me a real sense of the scale of the city against the water. What stands out to you in this piece? Curator: Considering it's a gelatin-silver print, it's essential to think about the labour involved in its creation. Photography at this time was less automated. From preparing the gelatin emulsion to coating the glass plates and the developing process itself, all needed skill and labor. The composition also interests me: how do the placement and size of boats hint at social relations inherent in the use of this harbor? Editor: So, you're saying that the photograph isn’t just depicting a cityscape, but also the economic activities happening there? Curator: Precisely! Consider what vessels are prominently featured and who would have had the privilege to be out sailing at that moment? Think about how the material process affects our reception today – what meanings accumulate around “vintage” photography, what stories might we be unconsciously telling ourselves? Editor: That's fascinating, I never considered the choice of photographic process itself as adding another layer of meaning about the art of the time. Curator: Thinking about the means of production allows us to see beyond just aesthetics and engage with social and economic realities of Singleton’s time. Editor: This has completely changed how I look at photography from this period! Thanks so much for pointing out the importance of materials and context.