Directie van de Handelsvereniging Amsterdam (HVA) 1929

This photograph of the board of directors of the Amsterdam Trade Association, made by the Vereenigde Foto-bureaux Amsterdam, invites us into a world of serious business, but also to the art of image-making itself. The grayscale gives it a timeless quality, like a scene from a classic film. The composition is formal, yet the slight variations in pose and expression give each figure a distinct presence. Notice how the light catches the bald heads, creating little beacons of focus amidst the dark suits. There's a wonderful balance between the sharp details and the soft gradations of tone, a testament to the photographer’s skill. What strikes me is the way the photographer has used light to create depth and mood. It reminds me a little of the work of Gerhard Richter, using a limited tonal range to evoke a mood. Like a Richter painting, this photo is a reminder that art often resides in the process, the choices, and the ways we see the world around us.