Formatie Goemoek Oost van Oost. (October 1926.) 1926

This photograph, "Formatie Goemoek Oost van Oost," was taken in October 1926 by an anonymous artist, offering a glimpse into the earth's raw textures. The stratified earth seems to have emerged through shifting, settling and compaction. I can't help but wonder what the photographer was thinking, lugging their equipment to capture this view. The high contrast and detail in the photo make me think they were interested in textures and patterns, almost like an abstract painter! Maybe they were imagining how they would translate this into paint, thinking about layering and tonality. The diagonal lines create a sense of depth and movement. It reminds me of the work of painters like Gerhard Richter, who also explored abstraction through layering and blurring. Isn’t it interesting to think of photography in relation to painting? It's an ongoing conversation and exchange of ideas across time!