Minneapolis 1870

Benjamin Franklin Upton captured this photograph of Minneapolis using the wet collodion process. The image is structured into distinct horizontal layers, starting with the jumbled logs in the foreground that lead the eye to the river, then the clustered buildings on the horizon, and finally the sky, with the whole composition bathed in sepia tones. The deliberate arrangement of the lumber creates a chaotic yet controlled visual entry point. The perspective flattens the scene, compressing spatial depth, and focusing attention on the surface patterns. The city emerges as a dense collection of forms against the subtle gradient of the sky. Upton’s composition isn't just documentation; it's an interpretation that speaks to the dialogue between nature and urban expansion. In its formal qualities, the photograph captures the tension inherent in progress, inviting reflection on how we perceive and interact with our environment.