Gezicht op een aantal boten op de rivier c. 1890 - 1910

Henry William Cave made this photograph of boats on a river using the wet collodion process, a popular photographic technique in the 19th century. This method required coating a glass plate with chemicals, exposing it in the camera while still wet, and then developing it immediately. Looking closely, the luminosity of the light is due to the materials used. This process created a highly detailed negative, capable of capturing the textures of the wooden boats and the surrounding landscape with remarkable clarity. The tonal range, from the bright highlights on the water to the deep shadows in the foliage, showcases the sensitivity of the wet collodion emulsion. Beyond its aesthetic qualities, the photograph invites reflection on labor and trade in colonial contexts. The boats, likely used for commerce or transport, represent a connection to broader economic systems. The very act of making this photograph connects Cave to the social dynamics of his time, suggesting the way photography played a role in shaping perceptions of distant lands and cultures.