Taking up the Eel-Net 1886

"Taking up the Eel-Net" is a photo by Peter Henry Emerson, a pioneer of naturalism in photography, from 1886. This black and white photograph captures the daily life of fishermen in a serene, natural setting. Emerson’s work is characterized by its realistic depiction of rural life in England, often featuring ordinary people engaged in everyday activities. The photograph's soft tones and focus on the figures create a sense of intimacy and authenticity. It is part of a series of photographs that were published in Emerson's book "Life and Landscape in East Anglia," making this image a key piece of the pictorialist movement.