Gebouwen tussen bomen c. 1900s - 1910s

This photograph, "Gebouwen tussen bomen", was taken by an anonymous photographer and now resides in the Rijksmuseum. It’s a scene of buildings amidst trees. I'm imagining the photographer here, patiently framing the shot, considering the light and the shadows. I love how the trees aren't just a backdrop. The photographer chose to let them be active participants in the scene, their branches a kind of veil, a screen through which we view the buildings. The texture of the leaves, the roughness of the bark - it all contributes to a sense of depth and atmosphere. There’s an honesty to the image, like they weren't trying to pretty things up. It's as if the photographer wanted to capture a slice of real life, unadorned and true. It reminds me that photography, like painting, is a process of selection, interpretation, and framing. We're always making choices, and those choices shape how we and others see the world.