Pagina 136 en 137 van fotoboek van de Algemeene Vereeniging van Rubberplanters ter Oostkust van Sumatra (A.V.R.O.S.) c. 1924 - 1925

This is a photograph from a photobook by J.W. Meyster, documenting a rubber plantation on the east coast of Sumatra. It’s more than just a snapshot; it’s a layered image, revealing so much about the place and the moment it was taken. I imagine Meyster, setting up his camera, carefully composing the scene. What was he thinking as he framed the workers amongst the rows of young rubber trees? The sepia tones give it a feeling of nostalgia, but they also speak to the historical context, the colonial era. You can almost feel the humidity, the weight of the labor, the tension between the industry and the landscape. It reminds me of the work of other documentary photographers who were trying to capture the complexities of labor and industry. Photography, like painting, is about creating a space for reflection, for seeing the world in new ways. This image isn't just a record; it’s an invitation to contemplate the relationship between people, work, and the land, prompting conversations across time.