The Cañon of Kanab Creek 1872

Editor: So, this is William Bell's stereograph, "The Cañon of Kanab Creek," taken around 1872. It feels…monumental, yet small because of the format. What does this image tell us about how the West was being represented at the time? Curator: Good question. These images were produced as part of government survey expeditions. How do you think that context shaped what Bell chose to photograph and how he photographed it? Editor: I guess it wasn't just about pretty landscapes, but also about documenting resources and asserting control. Curator: Exactly. These images were tools of empire, influencing policy and public perception. It makes you think about the power of photography, doesn’t it? Editor: Definitely gives me a different perspective. I hadn't considered it in this way before.