Entitled: Interior Canal, Canton China, [c1917] SD Gamble [RESTORED]. Simple retouching, contrast, tonal adjustments; slightly cropped, sepia toned.

From the Sidney D. Gamble Photographs Collection at Duke University, which states:

"From 1908 to 1932, Sidney Gamble (1890-1968) visited China four times, traveling throughout the country to collect data for social-economic surveys and to photograph urban and rural life, public events, architecture, religious statuary, and the countryside. A sociologist, renowned China scholar, and avid amateur photographer, Gamble used some of the pictures to illustrate his monographs. The Sidney D. Gamble Photographs digital collection marks the first comprehensive public presentation of this large body of work that includes photographs of Korea, Japan, Hawaii, San Francisco, and Russia. The site currently features photographs dated between 1917 and 1932; the 1908 photographs will be digitized and uploaded as part of future additions to the site.

The photograph captions are based on the handwritten and typed descriptions found on the original negative sleeves and believed to be the work of Sidney Gamble. The captions and photographs may contain language or stereotypes reflecting the cultural perspective of the era. This content is provided as part of the historical record and does not reflect the views of the Duke University Libraries.

The materials in this collection are made available for use in research, teaching, and private study. Texts and images from this collection may not be used for any commercial purpose without prior permission. Copyright in these images is held by Duke University Libraries and/or the heirs of Sidney D. Gamble. All rights are reserved, except as specified above. When use is made of these texts and images, it is the responsibility of the user to secure any necessary permissions and to observe the stated access policy, the laws of copyright, and the educational fair use guidelines."

The original appears to have been taken with a 4x5 view camera. If one enlarges the image, two boats passing beneath a bridge can be seen in the far distance. The image is interesting because it shows that Guangzhou too, had interior canals similar to that of Suzhou, albeit not as elegant nor extensive. It also allows for viewers to appreciate the historical construction of houses and the almost byzantine intimacy of the quarters. The photo appears to have been taken from a bridge that crosses over the canal and the water level at the time is also noted to be quite low. However, noticing that the water marked stones on either side seem to rise for several feet more, it might be assumed that the water level was subject to seasonal influences. A waterway behind rows of houses offers obvious trading advantages; for the buyer, a market will come past one's door and for the seller, the weight in freight becomes moot. Also a boat on the water can be both storefront and home. Additionally, knowing human nature, the canal probably functioned as both a raw sewage and garbage disposal system, as attested to by the heavy film on the water's surface, and the scattered debris on the banks. Also noted, is the construction of the canal; on either side are pilings that probably were driven into the ground as a protection to prevent houses or earth from sliding into the canal.