Newhaven Group 1843 - 1847

Hill and Adamson created this calotype photograph, "Newhaven Group," in 1843, just a few years after the invention of photography. Shot in the small fishing village of Newhaven, Scotland, the image captures the everyday lives of its residents. The image depicts a woman in traditional Newhaven attire, seated next to a formally dressed man, likely a middle-class individual. Hill and Adamson often collaborated with ordinary people, using them as models. In doing so they were disrupting the portraiture conventions which often depicted noblemen and other members of the upper class. The woman’s gaze is turned downward, her expression unreadable, inviting contemplation about her identity and lived experiences in a society undergoing significant changes. This photo isn't merely a record; it is an intersection of identities—gender, class, and community—frozen in time. It encapsulates a moment of cultural exchange. It invites us to reflect on how we perceive and represent one another.