Untitled c. 1900

This is an early photograph, made by John G. Bullock, who lived from 1854 to 1939. Though undated, the image speaks of its time, a moment when photography was becoming more accessible, but still required real skill. Bullock would have used a camera with glass plate negatives, a technology that demanded patience and precision. The final print, a modest size, is made from sepia-toned paper, a warm, rich brown that enhances the nostalgic feel. Look closely, and you can see the telltale signs of the process: the slightly soft focus, the limited tonal range, and the delicate grain of the image. These are not flaws, but rather the fingerprints of a particular way of making, a time when photography was as much craft as it was art. The image captures a moment of quiet intimacy, a child feeding a pony. But it's also a testament to the labor and expertise involved in producing a photograph at the turn of the century, a reminder that even the simplest image is the result of complex material processes.