Groep mannen, deels in uniform 1940 - 1943

This image shows a group of men, some in uniform, taken by an anonymous photographer, and now held at the Rijksmuseum. Look at that light and shadow on the street, and how it almost obscures our view, cutting across the photograph in this very graphic way! I wonder who took this photo. A family member, a friend, or a professional? Did they plan this photograph or was it more off-the-cuff, a kind of snapshot? There is a really striking contrast between those who are posed versus those caught in more naturalistic stances. The picture plane is quite full, and it’s as if everyone is vying for a space, almost straining to be seen. I'm always fascinated by these kinds of historical images. What was daily life like for the subjects, and what stories do they tell us, both individually and collectively? There’s a strange beauty to the ordinary. I think it can unlock a deep sense of wonder.