Twee schepen tussen de torossen in de Karazee before 1886

H. Ekama made this photograph, ‘Twee schepen tussen de torossen in de Karazee’, using a camera and darkroom processes in the late 19th century. As a mode of production, photography was still relatively new. It democratized image-making, but also demanded specialized labor – people to man the cameras, develop the film, and print the photographs. This particular image shows two ships in the Kara Sea, likely part of a Dutch polar expedition. The visual texture created through the photographic process is striking; the contrast between light and dark, the grainy details of the ships and the icy landscape, all contribute to the image's stark beauty. Beyond its aesthetic qualities, we can consider photography as a product of its time, tied to wider social issues such as exploration and scientific discovery. The photograph captures a moment in history, but it also represents the labor, technology, and ambition that made such expeditions – and such images – possible. By focusing on the materials, processes, and social context, we gain a deeper understanding of the photograph’s full meaning, challenging any traditional distinctions between fine art and documentation.