Man en vrouw in het gras c. 1900 - 1910

This photograph, ‘Man en vrouw in het gras’, was made by G. Hidderley using gelatin silver print, a process that dominated photography for over a century. In this technique, a light-sensitive emulsion of silver halides in gelatin is applied to a base, usually paper. The print would have been created in a darkroom, with careful management of light and chemicals to realize the image. The gelatin silver print democratized photography, making it more accessible for amateur use. This photograph’s modest scale contributes to its intimacy, and the apparent spontaneity of the shot reinforces the idea of photography as a tool for everyday life. The focus is on the human subject and the way photography changed family life and social interactions. Photography isn't only about technical skill, but also about the circumstances of its production and the meaning it holds for those who create and view it.