Nederland bezet Soerakarta Possibly 1948 - 1949

This photograph, taken by the Associated Press, captures the occupation of Soerakarta, and its monochrome palette speaks volumes. I imagine the photographer, in the moment, grappling with how to frame such a fraught situation, each click of the shutter attempting to distill a complex reality. The composition, with its stark contrast between the soldiers and the lined-up civilians, is striking. What thoughts might have been running through their mind? The way the light falls, casting shadows and highlighting textures, it reminds me of the power of black and white to convey depth, emotion, and a sense of historical weight. As an artist, I’m always thinking about how we can capture and communicate feeling and meaning through composition and tonality. Just like painters, photographers leave a trace of themselves behind in the decisions they make. It's a reminder that artists and journalists are in conversation across time, influencing how we see and understand the world.