Magic Tower, Yosemite 1870 - 1874

Carleton E. Watkins's "Magic Tower, Yosemite" (1870-1874) is a striking albumen print showcasing the grandeur of Yosemite National Park. The photograph features a towering rock formation, its sheer size emphasized by the two figures dwarfed by its scale, while the background features a glimpse of the surrounding landscape. Watkins, a pioneer of landscape photography, captured the vastness and raw beauty of the American West. His work contributed significantly to the development of Yosemite as a national treasure, bringing the awe-inspiring beauty of nature to a wider audience.