Duiker 1913 - 1930

This small black and white photograph, made by Theodoor Brouwers, captures a moment of pure abandon as a figure dives headfirst into water. You can imagine Brouwers carefully setting up his equipment, maybe waiting for the perfect light, hoping to capture the fleeting moment of a body in mid-air. I love how the figure is captured in this moment of transition, suspended between the solid world and the fluid one. It's a beautiful meditation on time and movement. It reminds me a little of those Muybridge photographs, breaking down motion into still frames. I can imagine Brouwers watching the diver, thinking about weight, gravity, and the ephemeral nature of the moment. He freezes time. And although this looks like a simple snapshot, it is a testament to the artist's careful eye and technical skill. I can see him chatting to other photographers about the trials and errors of capturing the perfect shot.