Forest instruction, caused by a state dam 1893

This photograph, "Forest Destruction, Caused by a State Dam," was taken by Seneca Ray Stoddard, most likely in the late 19th century. It’s a printed image, likely made through a photomechanical process - a relatively new technology at the time that allowed photographs to be mass-produced in books and magazines. What’s striking is the contrast between the supposed objectivity of photography and the pointed message in the title. The image documents the ruinous effect of a state-sponsored dam on the natural landscape. We see felled trees and a scarred environment, the result of industrial development. The photograph is not just a neutral record, it's an indictment. It speaks to the social and political issues surrounding land use, labor, and the impact of capitalism on the environment. Stoddard challenges the viewer to consider the true cost of progress. He reminds us that every made thing, no matter how technically advanced, has a material origin and a tangible effect on the world around us.