Roßtrappe in het Bodetal c. 1855 - 1880

This stereoscopic photograph of Roßtrappe in the Bodetal was made by Adolph Hecht, using a camera and darkroom. The process involved coating glass plates with light-sensitive emulsion, exposing them in the camera, and then developing the image in a darkroom using chemical processes. The final print on paper was then mounted on card stock. Photography in the 19th century was a relatively slow and laborious process compared to today's digital photography. This image’s tones and details emphasize the texture of the rocks, the density of the forest, and the imposing presence of the mountain. It is a small object, a souvenir, an affordable memento of a leisure experience. The commercialization of photography played a role in shaping popular perceptions and experiences of landscape. It democratized travel, giving more people access to views that might otherwise have been limited to the wealthy. This photograph reflects a shift in cultural values, where landscape became both a source of aesthetic pleasure and a commodity to be consumed.