Staande militair 1940 - 1943

This photograph of a standing military man was made by an anonymous artist. I wonder about the relationship between the photographer and their subject. Did the photographer know him? Was this a candid shot or a carefully staged portrait? The composition feels rather formal, the man posed in the doorway of a brick building, perhaps his home or office. He stands very straight and still. What I want to know is what’s on his mind at that moment? There's a somber quality to the black and white tones, a kind of quiet dignity. His uniform and stance speak to the man's profession and duty, but I also see a person standing at a threshold. This image makes me think about all the unspoken stories that lie beneath the surface of a person's appearance. It also makes me consider how photographs can both capture and conceal the essence of an individual.