Automobiel op een strand 1910

Dirk van der Mark made this photograph, "Automobiel op een strand," sometime between the late 19th and early 20th century. The sepia tone lends a dreamy quality, almost like looking through a faded memory. The photograph’s surface has a beautiful, slightly worn texture, like old paper. The subtle gradations of tone create a soft focus, highlighting the car as it sits proudly on the beach. The way the light catches the details of the vehicle, from the spokes of the wheels to the folds of the roof, speaks to the craftsmanship of both the car and the photographer. Notice how the ground beneath the car is captured with a delicate touch, creating a sense of stillness. This photograph reminds me of the early works of Eugène Atget, who also captured the everyday with a similar sense of quiet observation. It celebrates the beauty found in simple moments, and the stories that can be told through careful attention to detail.