Twee foto's van de familie Van den Berg aan het kamperen en vliegtuigen op de Vliegdag Schiphol Possibly 1923 - 1928

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.