Britse soldaten op een schip in Zuid-Afrika 1900

This photograph of British soldiers disembarking in South Africa was made by Underwood & Underwood, a company which specialized in the mass production of stereoscopic images. Here, the materiality of the photograph itself speaks to the industrialized processes through which images were captured, printed, and distributed on a large scale in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The sepia tone, the texture of the photographic paper, and the clarity of the image, all point to the technologies and industrial advancements of the era. The scene itself is carefully composed and staged, suggesting the company’s intention to create a visually appealing and informative product. The image provides a glimpse into the social and political context of the time, capturing the movement of troops during a period of colonial expansion, reflecting the labor and logistics involved in maintaining an empire. By understanding the context and materials of this photograph, we recognize how industrial modes of production influenced both its creation and its social significance.