Sentinel. Front View: 3270 Feet. 1861

Carleton Watkins made this albumen silver print, "Sentinel, Front View: 3270 Feet," sometime in the 19th century. Watkins was a master of the wet plate collodion process, a technique that demanded both artistry and considerable physical labor. The process involved coating a glass plate with chemicals, exposing it in a large format camera while still wet, and then developing the image immediately. Consider the effort required to haul the necessary equipment into the Yosemite wilderness, where this photograph was taken. The weight of the camera, the glass plates, and the portable darkroom tent – all speak to the intense material commitment involved in the production. The final image, with its stunning detail and tonal range, is a testament to Watkins' skill. Watkins' photographs played a crucial role in the 19th century, shaping perceptions of the American West and contributing to the growing conservation movement. The sheer scale of the landscape, captured through a laborious photographic process, reminds us of the powerful connections between technology, labor, and our understanding of the natural world.