Twee foto's van een boottocht en zwemmers, augustus 1922 1922 - 1928

Hendrik Herman van den Berg made these two photographs of a boat trip and swimmers in August 1922. These are gelatin silver prints, a photographic process refined in the late 19th century that became the standard for black-and-white photography for much of the 20th. The gelatin silver process involves coating paper with a light-sensitive emulsion of silver halide crystals in gelatin. When exposed to light and then developed, these crystals form a stable metallic silver image, with a wide tonal range and fine detail. Looking at these prints, you might consider how photography democratized image-making. Unlike painting or sculpture, which required specialized artistic skill and training, photography allowed a broader segment of the population to capture and share their experiences. This shift reflects broader social and cultural changes, with the rise of mass media and consumer culture in the early 20th century. These images are, in a sense, humble things. But they reflect an industrialized technology that has shaped our way of seeing for over a century. By considering their material presence, we can better appreciate their cultural significance.