Woningen van Chinese contractarbeiders 1921 - 1922

This photo, "Woningen van Chinese contractarbeiders" from an anonymous photographer, shows us the housing of Chinese contract workers. The tones are muted, which gives a certain melancholic feel. I wonder who the photographer was, and what their motivations were when taking this photo. Do they mean to highlight the conditions, or are they just documenting the buildings? Look at how the thatched roofs overlap each other, creating a rhythm of light and shadow. The image feels so present, but you have to ask yourself who this image was made for, and how we're implicated in its viewing. Images like this remain intentionally ambiguous, prompting more questions than answers. Photography is just like that, constantly in dialogue with the viewer.