Geitenhutten 1863 - 1869

Woodbury & Page created this photograph of Geitenhutten, or goat sheds, using albumen print, a process that involves coating paper with egg white to increase its sensitivity to light. This method renders incredible detail. Notice the way the light reflects off the thatched roofs and woven walls of the sheds. These structures, probably found in Java, are made from locally sourced materials, showcasing the indigenous craft traditions of the region. The careful arrangement of the woven panels speaks to the skill involved in their construction, a vernacular architecture adapted to the tropical climate. Consider the labor involved in gathering, preparing, and weaving these natural materials. Woodbury & Page, as European photographers, were part of a colonial system, documenting the landscape and local life for a Western audience. Photographs like these often served to reinforce a sense of exoticism and difference, while simultaneously overlooking the intricate knowledge and expertise embedded in local practices of building and making.