Dorp, vermoedelijk in Transvaal, Zuid-Afrika 1967 - 1971

This small gelatin silver print of a South African village, probably made by Willem Jacob van den Berg, feels like it captures a fleeting moment. The tonal range is subtle, almost like a memory fading at the edges. The photograph is a muted dance of light and shadow. It seems to capture the feel of the dry earth. The way the animals cluster and the figure stands among them is quite lovely, even if the image itself is not highly detailed. It's more about feeling. I like how the thatched roof buildings nestle at the edge of the image, like they're trying to blend in with the earth. Van den Berg was working in the early to mid 20th century, a period when photographers like Henri Cartier-Bresson were seeking to capture the decisive moment. But this image has a different feel. It’s less about the perfect composition, more about the simple beauty of everyday life. What it lacks in detail, it makes up for in atmosphere.