Its architectural monuments represented Europe and classical ruins while America equally possessed its ancient monuments of primeval forests, mountains, lakes, and picturesque waterfalls. Given Yellowstone's "majestic display of natural architecture" and the geysers to "a miniature model of the Coliseum" ranked Americans natural wonders equal to Europe's. Though necessary background and history was required for creating and appreciating European landscapes, in America the only requirement was a deeply felt experience of beauty of nature. The value placed upon Western landscapes helped to promote and protect the unique areas as national parks.
Surveys and Science.
Photography has been used and considered the perfect scientific tool. For those unable to venture into the field, the photograph of the west's scientific manuals was adequate enough. Ansel Adams photo's provided records of geological and the glacial processes that created the West. Around the Civil War era, there were quite a few expeditions funded by the Government devoted to investigating scientific matters. Also the photographers of this were also funded to capture photos of the Nature People and cultures. Though many of these photographers depicted many Natives, incorrectly as well as stole many artifacts, and recreated many of the rituals and lifestyles, inappropriately to have a persuasive theme of the savage people. One photographer, John K. Hillers produced many photographs that had Indians acting out rituals in recreated costumes that were later added with inappropriate feather bonnets that were added to the Smithsonian Institution Collection.
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Shadow Catchers.
The Indians called early photographers "Shadow Catchers", in the sense when a shot is taken; it catches a shadow image of a person. Though many of the Photographers that shot the Native Americans recently became the focus of controversy due to misrepresentation of the Indians, because there was few photographers who shot them the way they were.
