William Henry Jackson
August 4, 1875
Of his large-format camera in 1875, Jackson noted "Packing... so large a camera (not the compact, folding ones of today) with the necessary plates and chemicals over hazardous mountain trails, but also the difficulties in manipulation of wet plates magnified many times—it is a wonder to me even now that I had the temerity to undertake it.” While the results were spectacular, the camera proved too unwieldy to use after the 1875 season.
To more efficiently cover the long distances from the San Juan Mountains to the Hopi pueblos, Jackson used a smaller camera and more portable "dark box" rather than his usual dark tent.
Note the Survey's guide, Harry Lee, towards the top of the image.
Albumen print on paper. H 8.8, W 8.8 cm
Scotts Bluff National Monument, SCBL 3063