Heerenstraat in Paramaribo met bomen en voorbijgangers before 1927

This photograph of Heerenstraat in Paramaribo with trees and passers-by was taken by Eugen Klein. It’s monochrome, which makes me think about the different ways we see the world through a lens, and the choices we make about what to include or exclude. I’m drawn to the way the light filters through the trees, creating dappled patterns on the ground. It’s a beautiful effect, and it reminds me of how light can transform a scene. The texture of the photograph is interesting too. You can almost feel the roughness of the paper and the slight graininess of the image. It’s a reminder of the physicality of photography, and how it’s not just about capturing an image, but about creating an object. Looking at this image, I’m reminded of the work of Eugène Atget. Like Atget, Klein seems to be interested in capturing a sense of place, and in documenting the everyday life of a city. Both artists seem to suggest the ongoing conversation and exchange of ideas across time.