Straatgezicht te Peking before 1920

This monochrome photograph titled 'Straatgezicht te Peking' was taken by Donald Mennie sometime in the first half of the 20th Century; it seems like Mennie captured this scene as a way to remember it, a way of remembering a bustling street in Peking. The tonality of the photograph lends it a soft, almost dreamlike quality. It’s not about sharp details, but more about the overall impression, the feeling of the place. Look at the way the light filters through the trees, casting soft shadows on the road – it's as though the light is another character in the scene, adding depth and mystery. In the lower part of the image, a small cart is being pulled across the street. The people and vehicles captured in this image have a sense of purpose and presence, while remaining anonymous, almost ghostlike. It’s this juxtaposition between specificity and anonymity that makes it so compelling. This picture reminds me of Eugène Atget who also tried to capture a record of Parisian life.