Groep Tibetaanse geestelijken (lama's) met blaasinstrumenten (dunchen) 1903 - 1906

This photograph of Tibetan clerics with their instruments was taken by D.T. Dalton, but we don't know exactly when. What strikes me first is the tonal range, the beautiful sepia palette of browns, creams, and grays. It makes me think about how the artist made decisions about light and shadow, and the way those choices affect what we see. Look closely at the horn in the foreground, the way the light hits it, creating this really strong contrast between the highlight on one side and the deep shadow on the other. It’s the darkest element, and it’s what my eye is drawn to. This grounded darkness is balanced by the light bouncing off the wall behind them. The photograph reminds me a little bit of August Sander’s portraits; that same attention to the subject’s humanity, presented with an even, descriptive light, and an interest in depicting a group by their social role. This simple, direct approach gives us a window into a specific moment in time and place.