Extension of a portion of the fifth infantry regiment, in a field N. of Funglintsei, on the S. coast of Wei-Hai-Wei Possibly 1895

This photograph of the fifth infantry regiment was created at the Ordnance Survey Office. The landscape is rendered in a palette of greys that work together to create an atmosphere of austere stillness. Notice how the photograph is structured into distinct horizontal bands. A low-lying mountain range sits at the top, its peaks softened by distance. Below this, a flat plain stretches across the middle ground, punctuated by the tiny figures of soldiers. In the foreground, a rough, uneven terrain dominates, its textures sharply defined. The composition emphasizes the vastness of the landscape and the regiment's disciplined formation. The stark contrast between the smooth background and coarse foreground creates a visual tension. The photograph serves not just as a record of the terrain, but as a study of form, line, and texture. The artist has paid particular attention to spatial relationships and the careful layering of tones. Ultimately, the photograph challenges viewers to consider how perspective can shape perception and meaning.