Schut- en Uitwateringssluis ten Westen van de Nieuwe Statenzijl 1907 Possibly 1907 - 1916

Tonnis Post made this photograph of the Schut- en Uitwateringssluis ten Westen van de Nieuwe Statenzijl in 1907. This image has a beautiful tonal range, from the deep blacks of the wooden structures to the soft greys of the sky. The textures of the wood and stone are palpable, grounding the image in the physical world. Look at the way Post captures the light reflecting off the wet surfaces, creating a sense of depth and atmosphere. It's like he's trying to capture not just the scene, but the very essence of the place and moment in time. The figures of the workers in the background give a sense of human scale, and the intricate scaffolding suggests the complex engineering involved in building the sluice. This piece reminds me of the work of Bernd and Hilla Becher, who also photographed industrial structures with a similar sense of objective detachment. But where the Bechers were interested in typology, Post seems more concerned with capturing the atmosphere and the human element of the scene. It's all about the process.