Gezicht op Battak Kampong Roemah Kinangkang, Sumatra (Battak Kampong Roemah Kinangkang) c. 1885 - 1900

Carl J. Kleingrothe made this photograph of Battak Kampong Roemah Kinangkang in Sumatra sometime around the turn of the 20th century. It is made using a photographic process that captures light and shadow on a sensitive surface. This albumen print gives us a view into the lives of the people living in this region. Look closely, and you will see people in the river, perhaps engaged in the labor of washing or fishing. The flowing water contrasts with the sharp details of the surrounding plant life. The photographer’s choice of perspective, looking across the water, invites us to consider the relationship between the people and their environment. Photographs like these were produced for commercial purposes, to document the colonies. This kind of image can also be read as a document of labor and social context, providing a window into a specific time and place. So the next time you see a photograph, consider not only the image, but also the act of making.