Blauweregen in bloei boven het water in Tokyo c. 1895 - 1905

This photograph, titled "Blauweregen in bloei boven het water in Tokyo", was taken by Kōzaburō Tamamura, and utilizes a process called albumen silver printing. Looking closely, we can see how the photograph's material influences its appearance, with its inherent qualities of texture and form. The albumen print process, popular in the late 19th century, involved coating paper with albumen from egg whites, followed by a silver nitrate solution, and then exposure to light through a negative. This process allowed for detailed and luminous images, but required significant labor in preparing the materials and carefully controlling the exposure and development. The resulting image has a distinctive tonal range and surface quality, with a subtle sheen that enhances the delicate details of the wisteria blossoms and reflections in the water. Tamamura engaged with a tradition of photographic skill, rooted in chemistry and optics. It’s important to remember the labor and context involved in photographic production, understanding it as both a technical feat and a cultural artifact.