Ducks c. 20th century

Karl Struss’s photograph *Ducks* captures a fleeting moment with a quiet sense of observation. I imagine Struss carefully composing the scene: he chose this spot, perhaps returning day after day to capture the light just so. The light is really the subject of this work; it filters through the leaves and glistens on the water's surface. Struss has this interesting framing device: the dark, leafy branches create a screen, drawing our eye to the ducks below. It's as if we're peeking into a secret world. The sepia tones soften the scene, giving it a nostalgic feel. It reminds me of other photographers like Alfred Stieglitz, who were also exploring the poetic possibilities of photography around the same time. It's a reminder that art is a conversation across time, with each artist building on what came before. Like a good photograph, *Ducks* invites us to pause and appreciate the beauty of everyday moments, encouraging us to find our own way in.