Gezicht op een fort in een park 1870 - 1900

This photograph, "Gezicht op een fort in een park," was created by Edward Banes using early photographic processes. The sepia tones and soft focus are inherent qualities of the photographic chemistry of the time. These early methods, such as the collodion process, involved coating a glass plate with light-sensitive chemicals. The plate then had to be exposed and developed quickly, while still wet. Think about the labor involved: the meticulous preparation, the precise timing, and the darkroom work all required skill. This wasn't mass production. Each image was a unique product of handcraft. The photograph becomes a record of a specific moment, captured through a labor-intensive process. Considering the making of this photograph allows us to appreciate the artistry behind early photography, and reminds us that even in mechanical reproduction, the human hand plays a crucial role.