[The Reading Establishment] 1846

William Henry Fox Talbot made this early photographic print, "The Reading Establishment," using the calotype process he pioneered in the 1840s. These now-faded images offer a glimpse into the workings of Talbot's printing establishment. Beyond the scientific breakthroughs, consider the social implications of this new technology. Photography emerged in a society deeply stratified by class. Early photography required specialized knowledge, expensive equipment, and a mostly literate clientele. Who had access to this technology, and whose stories were being told? Talbot's invention both democratized and complicated the visual landscape, offering a new way of seeing and representing the world, while simultaneously reinforcing existing power structures. The very act of capturing and disseminating images held profound implications for identity, representation, and the control of narratives. What do you think of who is controlling the narrative today?