Laila Range and Mulkhura Valley c. 1889

Editor: So, this is Vittorio Sella's photograph, "Laila Range and Mulkhura Valley." The monochromatic tones create a somber mood. What's striking to me is the way it captures the imposing scale of the landscape. What do you see in it? Curator: I see the labor involved in producing such a photograph, literally the physical demands of transporting equipment in mountainous regions, but also the chemical processes involved. These were not automated images; they were crafted. How does that change your understanding? Editor: I hadn’t considered that! It makes me think about the contrast between the industrial process of photography and the "untouched" nature it depicts. Curator: Exactly! And how that photograph may have been consumed—who saw it, and what purpose did it serve? Think about its value as both art and documentation. Editor: That gives me a lot to think about regarding the relationship between photography, labor, and how we perceive nature. Thanks! Curator: My pleasure. It's important to understand the labor in art.