Gezicht op de Sint-Martinuskerk te Halsteren 1901

This monochrome photograph captures the Sint-Martinuskerk in Halsteren, its origins unknown. But think about it: this is a building which has stood for years, exposed to sun and wind. I try to imagine what it might have been like to take this photo, with the camera obscura, the dark room, and the slow, deliberate process of capturing light. The final image has a soft, muted quality, a testament to the delicate dance between light and chemistry. It's funny to think about how so many photographers think about the ‘decisive moment’ when what they actually mean is the ‘deliberate moment’. You have to allow for so many things to fall into place. I sympathize with the photographer trying to capture the scale and grandeur of the church with a heavy camera and equipment. The clock tower and Gothic windows probably gave them hell! Photography, like painting, really lets you think about the passing of time. You can think of the photo as a moment captured forever, but it also represents the cumulative effect of countless moments, experiences, and exchanges. Each captures a small piece of the puzzle, inviting us to reflect on the interplay between transience and permanence.