Gezicht op Potsdam, gezien vanaf de Brauhausberg 1855 - 1885

This is a photograph of Potsdam, taken by Siegfried Rosenthal in Berlin. Photography changed everything about the way we perceive the world. The photographic process captured a specific moment in time, and it also reflected wider social issues and the impact of mass production on society. The image is finely detailed, almost hyper-real, and was made possible by industrial advancements in lens-making and the mass production of photographic materials. The image is not just a representation of a place; it is also a product of labor and technology. The photographer would have had to develop their technical expertise, becoming acutely aware of the camera’s mechanics and chemistry. The photographer, in this respect, can be seen as a craftsman, harnessing the power of the machine to create an aesthetic object. Photographs like these challenge the traditional distinctions between fine art and craft. In its production and distribution, photography highlights the intricate connections between art, technology, and society.