The Black Sea, Entrance of the Great Harbour 1855

James Robertson captured this landscape, “The Black Sea, Entrance of the Great Harbour,” using photography, a relatively new medium at the time. Robertson was among the first to use photography as a means of documenting the world. His choice of the calotype process, with its soft focus and warm tones, imbued the image with a sense of atmosphere. The texture and weight of the paper support further enhanced the tactile quality of the work. The labor involved in producing such an image at this time would have been considerable. From preparing the light-sensitive paper to carefully composing and developing the shot, each stage required skilled craftsmanship. In this way, the photograph serves as a reminder of the relationship between technology, labor, and artistic vision. Robertson was superintendent and chief engraver at the Imperial Ottoman Mint. Ultimately, this piece underscores the significance of materials and processes in shaping our understanding of art, bridging the gap between photography and craft.