Vue de Girgeh et du littoral enlevé - par l'inondation du Nil 1849 - 1850

This photograph, by Maxime Du Camp, shows a view of Girgeh, Egypt, taken sometime in the mid-19th century. It was made using the Calotype process, an early photographic technique using paper negatives. The image is striking for what it reveals, and what it obscures. The flood damage is plain to see. But consider the labor involved in creating this image. The Calotype process demanded meticulous preparation of paper, long exposure times, and careful development. Du Camp, as a privileged traveler, was insulated from the realities of labor and class in Egypt at the time. Yet, the photograph itself is evidence of a complex interplay between technology, artistry, and social context. By focusing on the material and the making, we can appreciate the photograph not just as a depiction, but as an object deeply embedded in its time.