Charles J. Kleingrothe, born Carl Josef Kleingrothe or Klein-Grothe, known as C. J. Kleingrothe was a German photographer who since 1889 had a studio in Medan, Sumatra at the end of the 19th century and early 20th century. In 1891 he partnered with the Swedish photographer H. Stafhell for ten years and photographed the landscapes and architecture as well as portraits. In 1901, the partnership ended and in 1902 Kleingrothe opened a studio on Kesawan street in downtown Medan and photographed agricultural subjects including tobacco, coffee, tea, rubber and palm oil cultivation, administration and transport.