Amalfi c. 19th century

This photograph of Amalfi was taken by Giorgio Sommer sometime in the late 19th century. The scene is captured using the collodion process, a technique that required coating a glass plate with light-sensitive chemicals. Sommer's choice of collodion speaks volumes. This process, while complex, allowed for the mass production of images. It democratized photography, moving it from a niche practice to something more widely accessible. Look at the detail he captures, the way the light dances on the water, and the texture of the stone buildings clinging to the cliffs. The image showcases not just the beauty of Amalfi, but also the burgeoning tourist industry that was transforming the region. The tonal range, achieved through careful manipulation of the developing process, invites the viewer to imagine the bustling life of this coastal town. Sommer was making an argument for photography as a form of documentation, a tool for capturing and disseminating knowledge. It blurs the lines between art and craft, showing how a carefully crafted image could become a vehicle for social and economic exchange.