Gezicht op de muren van Constantinopel 1888 - 1900

This photograph, taken by Sébah & Joaillier, captures a view of the walls of Constantinople, using the wet collodion process on glass. The image is characterized by its sepia tones and high level of detail. The process itself was incredibly labor-intensive, requiring meticulous preparation and execution. The glass plate had to be coated with light-sensitive chemicals, exposed in the camera while still wet, and then developed immediately. This meant photographers like Sébah & Joaillier needed to be skilled chemists and technicians, operating in a portable darkroom. The very act of creating this photograph involved a complex interplay of craft, science, and commerce. It speaks to the rise of photography as both a medium of artistic expression and a tool for documenting and marketing the world. In the context of its time, this photograph bridges the gap between documentation and artistry.