Bedoeïenenkamp in Jericho 1903

Richard Sochor made this photograph called ‘Bedoeïenenkamp in Jericho’ at some point in his career. It looks like a stereo card, which is like an early form of 3D photography. The way the light and shadow fall really brings out the texture of everything. You can see the rough texture of the rocks, and how the woven roof is made of these prickly branches. It’s like the artist is trying to communicate something very tactile. I’m drawn to how the roof has a slight lean to it, like it's bowing or slouching under the weight of time. It mirrors the figures sitting there too, huddled together in this temporary space. The composition makes me think of how we all seek shelter, in different ways. Sometimes it's a physical structure, but often it’s the company we keep. This piece reminds me of the work of Eugène Atget, who also documented everyday life with a similar eye for detail and texture. Both artists capture a sense of timelessness in their work.