Gezicht op een koraalrif bij Suva waarin zee-egels kanalen hebben gevormd before 1899

This image shows a coral reef near Suva, likely created in the late 19th or early 20th century, by W. McM. Woodworth. It is a photographic print, a process that involves the careful manipulation of chemicals and light, to capture the intricate textures of this underwater landscape. Look closely, and you'll see channels carved into the coral. These were made not by human hands, but by sea urchins, also known as echinometra. This is nature's own form of production. What’s interesting here is the relationship between the industrial process of photography and the slow, relentless work of living creatures. The photographer's work gives visibility to the unnoticed labor of these animals. It also prompts us to think about the deep time involved in natural processes, and the impact that humans have on these environments. Photographs like this one invite us to appreciate the complex interplay between different forms of making, expanding our understanding of the relationships between art, craft, and the natural world.