Colorado River, Mouth of the Kanab Wash, Looking West 1872

Editor: Here we have William Bell's photograph, "Colorado River, Mouth of the Kanab Wash, Looking West." The rocky foreground really contrasts with the smooth water. What can you tell me about this piece? Curator: It's fascinating to consider the social context of landscape photography at this time. Think about the resources – the darkroom equipment, the transportation – required to produce this image. Who had access to this technology, and whose stories were being told through these photographs of the American West? Editor: So it's about more than just the pretty picture? Curator: Absolutely. Consider the labor involved in resource extraction in these landscapes, and how photography played a role in shaping perceptions of these territories. What kind of claim does this image make, and to what end? Editor: I never thought about it that way. Thanks for the insight. Curator: My pleasure, thinking about the material conditions makes all the difference.