Twee foto's van de familie Van den Berg aan het kamperen en vliegtuigen op de Vliegdag Schiphol

Hendrik Herman van den Berg made this photographic double portrait of his family in around 1925. It’s a simple way of framing two experiences – a quiet domestic scene, and then the excitement of the airshow. I love the feeling of process involved, the emulsion-based chemistry and the light sensitive paper. There’s something about this analogue method that feels human, like a drawing. The tonal range is limited, but this adds to its dreamy atmosphere. In the top half, the black tent is a stark contrast to the grey tones of the forest. Then, in the other half, the soft focus of the airplanes against a bright sky gives the image a sense of movement, like an early animation. I’m reminded of Gerhard Richter’s photographic paintings, he’s another artist interested in blurring the lines between painting and photography. Ultimately, this piece is a reminder that art doesn’t always need to be grand or complex, it can be about the everyday moments that shape our lives.