Early twentieth-century anthropology used photography as a scientific tool.

Researchers believed images could preserve physical appearance, clothing, body form, posture, and technology for later study.

But the camera was never neutral.

Someone decided how Ishi would stand.

Someone chose the background.

Someone chose whether he would wear museum-era clothing or clothing meant to evoke an earlier Yahi life.

Someone selected which images would be reproduced.

Those choices helped create the public Ishi.

One image could present him as a solemn survivor.

Another could present him as a craftsman.