Tien gezichten op Khaniá en Soúda op Kreta, Griekenland before 1898

This is a page from a book by Ernest Diehl, featuring photographic prints illustrating views of Khaniá and Soúda in Crete, Greece. The images are arranged in a collage-like manner, carefully cut and pasted onto the page. The contrast between the matte paper and the glossy photographs draws attention to the materiality of the page itself. This was a labour-intensive method, requiring not only photographic skill, but also manual dexterity. The final result suggests a tension between the unique, hand-made quality of collage, and the reproducible nature of photography and print. It’s tempting to consider the social context in which these images were made. Photography, especially when reproduced in books, was instrumental in shaping perceptions of distant lands. This book would have been a powerful tool, contributing to a broader visual culture of colonialism and tourism. So, as you look at these images, consider the labour involved in their production, and the social dynamics they represent. It's a reminder that even seemingly straightforward photographs are imbued with social and cultural significance.