Construction of the Bridge over the Maas River at Spijkenisse

The Netherlands is a delta: the railway, motorways, and bridges link regions separated by water. Photographers recorded these kinds of building projects because it was required by law and because they afforded such a marvellous spectacle. Pistoor planted the tripod of his gigantic camera on one side of the bridge, looking straight at the vanishing point on the opposite side. The glass negative was as large as this photograph, which is why it is so sharp.

Construction of the Bridge over the Maas River at Spijkenisse

The Netherlands is a delta: the railway, motorways, and bridges link regions separated by water. Photographers recorded these kinds of building projects because it was required by law and because they afforded such a marvellous spectacle. Pistoor planted the tripod of his gigantic camera on one side of the bridge, looking straight at the vanishing point on the opposite side. The glass negative was as large as this photograph, which is why it is so sharp.