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

This photograph of Zaandam harbour with fishing boats and baskets was captured by James Higson sometime between 1862 and 1933, using I'm guessing photographic technology of his time. I find myself peering into its depths, wondering what Higson was thinking, and what it felt like to set up his equipment on that dock. It feels like a moment suspended in time, yet pulsing with activity. The masts are soaring, the boats huddled, and the baskets piled high, each element whispering stories of labor, trade, and the everyday grind of life in a bustling port. Notice how the sepia tones lend a warmth and nostalgia, softening the harshness and blending the textures of wood, water, and woven reeds. This photograph reminds me that even in capturing a specific scene, an artist leaves a bit of themselves behind, inviting us to see the world through their eyes, to imagine, to reflect, and to connect across time.