The Slums of Glasgow 1868 - 1877

Thomas Annan created this photograph, "The Slums of Glasgow," using the wet collodion process. The photograph captures a narrow, claustrophobic alleyway, dominated by the towering presence of stone buildings on either side. The rough texture of the stone is vividly rendered through Annan’s sharp focus and tonal range. This material quality evokes the harsh realities of urban poverty. The composition leads the eye down the alley, with the converging lines creating a sense of depth, albeit one that feels oppressive rather than expansive. The single light source at the end of the alley draws the viewer toward it, but the overall feeling is one of entrapment. Annan uses photography as a tool to expose the social conditions of the time, turning the visual aesthetic into a commentary on urban decay and social inequality. The photograph functions as a social document. It invites us to consider the relationship between the built environment and the lives of its inhabitants.