Vlonder met rieten manden en vissersschepen in de haven van Zaandam 1904

James Higson’s photograph shows the harbour of Zaandam, complete with reed baskets and fishing boats. What strikes me is the texture, or the way the image creates the impression of texture using only light and shadow. I’m interested in the subtle tonal range of the photograph, how the artist coaxes so many shades and hues from this monochromatic palette. Look at the way the reflections in the water create the feeling of depth and movement. Light becomes almost tactile, bouncing off the surface of the boats, the masts, and the woven baskets. Higson coaxes an emotional narrative from the interplay of light and shadow. Artists like Gustave Caillebotte were taking similar approaches at this time, finding beauty in everyday scenes. Ultimately, the photograph embraces a certain ambiguity, inviting us to linger in the space between what we see and what we feel.