Landing of the second detachment of the sixth division at Lungseu bay, Yung Ching Possibly 1895

This photograph of the ‘Landing of the second detachment of the sixth division at Lungseu bay, Yung Ching’ was produced by the Ordnance Survey Office. It shows the military landing in China. The image creates meaning through a tension between panoramic beauty and the realities of imperial power. Note the orderly composition and detailed rendering of landscape and military personnel. The photograph seems to legitimize British presence, presenting it as a natural and ordered extension of British power. This image prompts us to ask how visual media, like photography, can be used to reinforce specific narratives and political agendas. To truly understand this image, we need to consult historical records, military archives, and accounts from the time. This will reveal how this event was perceived by different audiences, and how it reflects the power dynamics of the time.