Drie mensen in een rivier, vermoedelijk in de buurt van Kyoto c. 1895 - 1905

This hand-coloured albumen print, "Three People in a River, probably near Kyoto," was created by Kōzaburō Tamamura. The photograph is meticulously structured, juxtaposing natural and artificial elements. The stream acts as a compositional anchor, its linear flow balanced by the organic density of the foliage. Tamamura uses color sparingly, heightening the contrast between the muted tones of the water and the vivid greens of the vegetation. This photograph operates within a semiotic system, where each element functions as a signifier. The river symbolizes purification or passage, while the figures suggest harmony between humans and nature. Tamamura creates a visual discourse that reflects the aesthetic and cultural values of his time. The print challenges fixed notions of landscape photography by infusing it with artistic interpretation. It's a testament to the power of visual language, where formal choices shape and convey complex ideas.