Nephews 1860

This photograph, titled "Nephews," was made by Alfred Capel Cure sometime in the mid-19th century, using the albumen silver print process. This technique involves coating paper with albumen, derived from egg whites, then sensitizing it with silver nitrate. The result is a smooth surface, capable of capturing fine details, as we see in the subjects' clothing and the surrounding foliage. The sepia tone arises from the development process, which imbues the print with a sense of warmth and nostalgia. What's interesting is that photography, in its early days, was as much a craft as it was a science. Photographers had to master chemistry and optics, alongside an aesthetic sensibility. The labour-intensive nature of the process meant that photography was initially accessible only to a privileged few. The creation of an image like "Nephews" was a significant undertaking, reflecting both the sitter's social status and the photographer's skill. It reminds us that even seemingly simple images are the result of complex technical and social factors.