Gezicht op het hoogste punt van Spionkop in Natal 1901

This photograph of Spionkop was created by Underwood & Underwood, who made many stereo images. When you look at this now-sepia toned image, you are looking at a 3D experience, which is a pretty exciting precursor to our contemporary obsession with 3D movies and whatnot. It makes me think about how much we want to see more, to see deeper, to see more accurately... And there’s always something a little bit comical about these desires. What do we really think we are going to find? Here, the texture of the grass is almost palpable, and the arrangement of rocks are like brushstrokes. Underwood & Underwood were in dialogue with so many painters by using a camera. Photography gave painters a run for their money, a kick up the butt, or maybe a friendly shove. Anyway, they were all looking at the same thing together, it’s a good lesson for us all!