[Rapid, Yen-Ping] 1869

This photograph, entitled "Rapid, Yen-Ping," was taken in China by John Thomson, a Scottish photographer active in the late 19th century. Thomson was a pioneer in using photography for social documentation, and his images provide valuable insights into the lives of people and landscapes he encountered. What strikes me about this landscape is that it was created through a complex chemical process. These processes were new at the time, requiring a mastery of scientific knowledge as well as the skilled use of cumbersome equipment. We might also consider the labor involved in transporting these materials, and the social context of this endeavor. What was Thomson's position as a Westerner, documenting a foreign land? Photography, even in its early days, was never a neutral medium. It carried within it the baggage of colonialism and cultural exchange. By considering the materials, techniques, and social context of this photograph, we can gain a deeper understanding of its meaning.