Aira force, Cowbarrow park, Ulleswater before 1864

Thomas Ogle captured Aira Force, Cowbarrow Park, Ulleswater, using an early photographic process in a book of poems. The romantic movement of the 19th century, with its focus on the sublime and the power of nature, saw a fascination with landscapes as emotional and spiritual spaces. Waterfalls like Aira Force became potent symbols of untamed beauty. Within this historical context, photography emerged as a means to capture and disseminate these idealized images of nature. Ogle’s composition uses circular framing which softens the harsh rockface into a picturesque scene. The tonal range of the print evokes a sense of wonder and peace. "Begone, thou fond presumptuous Elf," and "Not dare to thrust thy foolish self / Between me and my choice!" are lines from the facing poem by William Wordsworth. The photograph and poem provide a lens through which the viewer could contemplate their relationship with the natural world and their own emotional landscape.