Gezicht op de berg Demaoend in Perzië, met op de voorgrond mannen in de weer met een driepoot c. 1880 - 1895

This photograph by Antoine Sevruguin shows Mount Demavend in Persia. It’s made using a process that was still relatively novel at the time, the silver gelatin print. Photography was not just a way of seeing, but also a way of working. This particular image, with its careful composition and the placement of figures in the foreground, speaks to the photographer's artistic intentions. But it also hints at the labor involved in creating such an image. Setting up the equipment, arranging the subjects, and capturing the scene required time and effort. The photograph also speaks to a broader social context. As photography became more accessible, it played a role in shaping perceptions of different cultures and landscapes. While we admire the aesthetic qualities of Sevruguin’s photograph, we must remember the social dynamics that shaped its creation and reception. The material process of photography, in this case, intersects with issues of representation, labor, and cultural exchange.