{"product_id":"picturing-the-ottoman-armenian-world-photography-in-erzerum-harput-van-and-beyond-9780755600397","title":"Picturing the Ottoman Armenian World: Photography in Erzerum, Harput, Van and Beyond","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cblockquote\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003ePhotography in the Ottoman East was rooted in different concerns, with studios in Erzurum, Harput, and Van being the most important. This book examines photographic activity in these three sites, arguing that local practices were marked by educational endeavors, mass migration, and revolutionary politics. It suggests that by contemplating the ways in which photographs were made, used, circulated, and seen, we can form a picture of the Ottoman Armenian world. \u003c\/blockquote\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFormat\u003c\/strong\u003e: Hardback\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eLength\u003c\/strong\u003e: 272 pages\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePublication date\u003c\/strong\u003e: 28 July 2022\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePublisher\u003c\/strong\u003e: Bloomsbury Publishing PLC\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe Armenian contribution to Ottoman photography is a subject that has received significant attention, with histories highlighting the famous Ottoman Armenian-run studios in the imperial capital that produced Orientalist visions for tourists and images of modernity for the domestic elite. However, the practitioners of the eastern provinces, where the majority of Ottoman Armenians resided, have been overlooked, leading to a distortion of their role in the medium and a broader understanding of Armenian history and experience. Photography in the Ottoman East was shaped by distinct concerns, with studios rooted in the seismic social, political, and cultural shifts that transformed the region and Armenian lives during the empire's final decades.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eIn order to shed light on this overlooked aspect of Ottoman Armenian photography, the first study of its kind examines photographic activity in three sites on the Armenian plateau: Erzurum, Harput, and Van. The book argues that local photographic practices were deeply influenced by the dominant activities and movements of these places, creating a medium that was intertwined with educational endeavors, mass migration, and revolutionary politics. Through a comprehensive analysis of photographs taken in these regions, the book provides a fresh perspective on the Ottoman Armenian world, shedding light on previously unknown practitioners and offering insights into the communities they served.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eOne of the key findings of the book is that photographs were not just passive records of the past but active agents that responded to and shaped the phenomena they documented. Photographers in the Ottoman East used their cameras to capture the changing landscapes, social structures, and cultural practices of the region, often using innovative techniques and styles to convey their messages. For example, photographers in Erzurum employed the wet-plate collodion process, which allowed for the creation of highly detailed and realistic images that captured the beauty of the city's architecture and landscapes.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eFurthermore, photographs played a crucial role in shaping public perception and understanding of the Ottoman Armenian community. They were used to promote tourism, attract foreign investment, and showcase the progress and modernity of the empire. At the same time, photographs were also used to perpetuate stereotypes and marginalize the Armenian community, depicting them as backward and primitive compared to their Ottoman counterparts.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe book also highlights the role of photography in the process of mass migration that characterized the Ottoman Empire. Photographs were used to document the journey of Armenian migrants, who were often forced to leave their homes due to political, social, and economic pressures. These images served as a means of preserving memories and preserving a sense of identity for those who were displaced, allowing them to connect with their roots and maintain a connection to their heritage.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eIn addition to its examination of photographic activity in the eastern provinces, the book also provides a broader Armenian perspective on the Ottoman Empire. It explores the complex relationship between the Armenian community and the Ottoman state, highlighting the struggles and challenges faced by Armenian photographers and their clients. The book argues that Armenian photographers were often forced to navigate a delicate balance between their loyalty to the empire and their desire to promote their own cultural and artistic values.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eOverall, \"Photography in the Ottoman East: Shifting Identities and Practices\" is a groundbreaking study that offers a fresh perspective on the Armenian contribution to Ottoman photography. By examining the work of photographers in the eastern provinces, the book sheds light on the overlooked role of the Armenian community in the medium and provides a deeper understanding of the complex social, political, and cultural dynamics that shaped the Ottoman Empire. The book's innovative approach and comprehensive analysis of photographs make it a valuable resource for scholars, researchers, and anyone interested in the history and culture of the Ottoman Empire.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWeight\u003c\/strong\u003e: 564g\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDimension\u003c\/strong\u003e: 241 x 193 x 22 (mm)\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eISBN-13\u003c\/strong\u003e: 9780755600397\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Dr David Low","offers":[{"title":"Hardback","offer_id":44094307926266,"sku":"9780755600397","price":91.5,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0522\/4297\/2845\/products\/1670580096462_book.jpg?v=1670690956","url":"https:\/\/shulphink.com\/products\/picturing-the-ottoman-armenian-world-photography-in-erzerum-harput-van-and-beyond-9780755600397","provider":"Shulph Ink","version":"1.0","type":"link"}