Voorstraatshaven met het Scheffersplein, Dordrecht 1900 - 1920

This gelatin silver print, titled "Voorstraatshaven met het Scheffersplein, Dordrecht" was made by G. Hidderley. The print is a product of photographic chemistry, silver halides suspended in gelatin. The process begins with the camera, which captures the image via a lens. This technology transformed how we document and perceive the world, making images accessible to a broader public. The gelatin silver print's tones and details would have been carefully controlled in the darkroom through skilled manipulation of light and chemicals. Hidderley's choice of monochrome emphasizes the geometry of the urban architecture, the contrast between the stillness of the water and the solid buildings. Photography like this played a role in shaping urban planning and preservation efforts, providing a visual record of cityscapes undergoing rapid transformation. Ultimately, the photograph is more than just an image, it is a physical artifact imbued with cultural and historical significance. It invites us to consider the relationship between technology, aesthetics, and the evolving landscape of the built environment.