Punjab Rose

An impressive studio shot that lays bare the artifice used to make these images work: the painted backdrop with visible border, the matching design shoes and carpet, the desk or piano the woman's arm is resting on, surrounded by an oval frame common to albumen photography. Still, the woman manages with upraised leg, thoughtful pose and low angle of the camera to exude a sense of control within her cramped environment. D.A. Ahuja, a Punjabi photographer settled in Rangoon (Myanmar) is one of the most interesting early postcard publishers in the region, both for his compositions and choice of subjects.