Schepen en roeiboten in de haven van Singapore c. 1870 - 1900

This albumen print shows the harbor of Singapore, and was produced by the photographic firm G.R. Lambert & Co. Photographs like this were produced in multiples, using relatively simple equipment, and were sold as travel souvenirs. In this case, the tonal range is limited, which speaks to the technical constraints of photography at the time. But if you look closely, you see a complex social situation unfolding. The image juxtaposes traditional rowboats with modern steamships, indicative of Singapore’s role as a crucial trading port. While the steamships represent industrial progress and global trade, the rowboats suggest the local labor force that supported the bustling harbor. The many hands that built the boats, loaded cargo, and navigated these waters, were essential to the port's economy. By understanding the materials, processes, and context of this photograph, we can understand the relationship between labor, trade, and technological advancement that shaped Singapore's identity.