[The Lion Court at the Alhambra, Viewed from Beneath the Portico Temple] 1862

This photograph of the Lion Court at the Alhambra was made by Charles Clifford using the wet collodion process. It’s a reminder that even photography, now so ubiquitous, was once a demanding, highly skilled craft. Consider the labor involved in making this image. First, the glass plate would have to be coated with a sticky, light-sensitive emulsion. Then, while still wet, it was exposed in the camera. Clifford would have hauled his equipment to the Alhambra, set up his camera, and carefully composed the shot, aware of the time sensitivity of the plate. The final print on albumen paper, made from egg whites, transforms the play of light and shadow into a study of texture. The columns, walls, and intricate carvings are all rendered in exquisite detail. The weight and substance of the architecture is palpable. Thinking about the materials, the chemistry, and the sheer effort involved, we can appreciate Clifford’s photograph as more than just a document; it’s a testament to the artistry and craft of early photography.