Echo Park 1871

Editor: This is Elias Olcott Beaman's stereograph, "Echo Park." The contrast between the imposing rock formations and the small river is striking. What do you see in this piece in terms of production and context? Curator: Looking at this image, I'm drawn to the photographic process itself. Consider the labor involved in creating this image: transporting equipment, developing the image in the field. This wasn't a passive act of observation, but an active engagement with the landscape, shaping our very consumption and understanding of the American West. Editor: So, it's not just about the scene, but the making of it? Curator: Precisely. How does the creation of images like these influence resource extraction and tourism? What is consumed, and who benefits? Editor: I see what you mean. Thanks, that gives me a lot to think about regarding the context in which it was produced!