Een tempel te Narmada before 1897

This photograph of a temple at Narmada was taken by Christiaan Johan Neeb. The photograph itself, an albumen print, presents us with the temple as a solid, almost monumental structure, set against a soft background of trees and sky. This was no quick snapshot. Producing an albumen print was a labor-intensive process, involving coating paper with egg white and silver nitrate. This light-sensitive surface would then be exposed to sunlight via a negative to reveal the image. The photograph’s materiality also affects how we perceive the image. The subtle tonal range achievable with albumen printing creates a sense of depth and detail, allowing us to appreciate the temple’s architecture and setting. The texture of the paper adds another layer of visual interest. Considering these aspects allows us to engage with the photograph not just as a representation, but also as a crafted object that embodies cultural and historical significance.