Woningen en inwoners van een dorp in Kupang op Timor before 1883

This photograph, "Woningen en inwoners van een dorp in Kupang op Timor", was created by Woodbury & Page. The image offers a glimpse into vernacular architecture of Timor, capturing the forms and textures of indigenous construction. Note the thatched roofs, likely made from locally sourced grasses. The walls are constructed with a wattle-and-daub technique, using woven sticks and mud. Look at the ground; it speaks to the direct relationship between inhabitants and their immediate environment. Photographs like this one were often made for ethnographic documentation or colonial administrators. They reflect a specific gaze, framing the subjects within a power dynamic. While seemingly straightforward, the image also raises questions about labor. How much time and effort went into building these homes? What skills were required? Understanding the material processes behind this image invites us to consider photography itself as a craft, influenced by social context. It challenges us to look beyond the surface and recognize the cultural significance embedded within the image.