Sennahlaan in Tanjungpura before 1898

Carl Kleingrothe captured this photograph of Sennahlaan in Tanjungpura using a mechanical process that changed the way we see the world. Photography offered a seemingly objective rendering, a direct impression of light on a sensitive surface. Yet, the photographer actively shapes this process, choosing the subject, framing the shot, and manipulating light and shadow. Here, the rows of trees form a deliberate composition, leading the eye down a shaded path. While the photographic process itself might seem detached, the image speaks to human intervention in the landscape. Consider the labor involved in planting and maintaining this avenue of trees, and the social context implied by its manicured appearance. This photograph is not simply a record, but a carefully constructed view that embodies cultural values and power dynamics. It challenges us to think about photography not just as a mechanical reproduction, but as a product of human intention and social forces.