"Pickering Tor," Dove Dale c. 1880s

Curator: This gelatin-silver print, entitled "Pickering Tor, Dove Dale" dates from the 1880s and was created by Peter Henry Emerson. Editor: It possesses a contemplative serenity. The monochromatic palette focuses my attention. There is an almost dreamlike quality to the diffused light and reflections in the water, wouldn’t you agree? Curator: Absolutely. I think we see Emerson working through his adherence to naturalistic principles, emphasizing photography as an art form. He was a vocal advocate for what he termed "naturalistic photography," arguing against manipulating photographs in the darkroom. Editor: The vertical thrust of the rock face –the 'tor' itself – creates a powerful focal point. Given the title and date, the 'tor' might act as an archetypal representation of endurance and permanence, a pre-industrial symbol set in opposition to an ever modernizing world. Curator: Yes, and I see how that tension of natural and artificial spaces played out in Emerson’s time, specifically through considering Victorian society’s impact on nature through industrialization and urbanization. Editor: And culturally too. Dove Dale was then becoming increasingly popular with tourists... Did that have an influence on him? Curator: It could have certainly played a part, I wonder if, Emerson attempts to freeze a moment of pure, untouched nature for posterity. Maybe that explains why he was so dead-set against manipulative processes in printing—believing in the "natural." Editor: Indeed. Perhaps it highlights humanity’s desire to commune with an untouched sublime nature, despite knowing its increasing unobtainability. Curator: This single image speaks volumes about the intertwined histories of photographic technique and cultural anxiety. It really demonstrates just how powerful photography can be! Editor: It offers so much for the thoughtful eye! A testament to the enduring power of symbolism and timeless landscapes.