August Morning c. 1900

Henry Troth captured August Morning using the photographic processes available in his time. Looking closely, we can see the material qualities of the print. Its sepia tones and soft focus were typical of pictorialist photography, an approach that sought to elevate photography to the status of fine art by imitating the effects of painting. But photography is also deeply tied to wider social issues of labor, politics, and consumption. The gelatin silver process used here relied on industrial production of both the photographic paper and the chemicals used to develop the image. The availability of these materials democratized image-making, allowing artists like Troth to explore personal expression through a relatively accessible medium. The labor, however, was concealed behind the lens of the camera. Considering the materials, the making, and the context opens up new avenues for understanding the full meaning of this artwork and challenges traditional distinctions between fine art and craft.