Aangemeerde zeilboten in een haven 1920 - 1940

This photograph of moored sailboats in a harbor was taken by G. Hidderley. It is a small print, measuring just 99 by 73 millimeters. The appeal of photography stems from the way it captures a moment, but also the mechanical processes involved. Here, we have a direct record of boats in their harbor. The photograph is made through the interaction of light, optics and chemistry. It is a process that gives the photograph its documentary effect. This sepia-toned print also speaks to the social context of labor. The sails evoke human activities, as we can imagine sailors working hard to sail their ships and to manage the sails. This photograph prompts us to consider the social and economic roles of these boats and the lives of the people connected to them. Considering the history of the photograph, therefore, allows us to see it not only as an image, but also as a trace of light, chemistry, labor, and social life.