Gezicht in de Sennah Allee, Langkat Sumatra c. 1900 - 1905

This photograph of a road lined with trees in Langkat Sumatra, was taken by Heinrich Ernst & Co. I’m thinking about how the artist might have felt, standing here with the camera. I can imagine them carefully framing the scene, balancing the light and shadow, trying to capture something of the atmosphere. Photography in and of itself can become a really physical process, especially when working in a landscape like this, where light and shade are in constant flux. The way the trees create a kind of tunnel effect is really interesting, it kind of draws you in. It’s a strong compositional choice that creates depth and perspective, so maybe the artist wanted to create a sense of immersion. It reminds me a little of some of the landscapes by 19th-century painters, who also explored the relationship between nature and the human gaze. Ultimately, I think this photograph is about seeing, experiencing, and responding to the world. It’s an invitation to slow down, observe, and find beauty in the everyday.