Optocht Jeugdstorm 1935 - 1937

This small black and white photograph by J. Otto shows a youth group marching in formation, with flags, uniforms and instruments in tow. I imagine Otto saw this group coming down the road and felt the urge to capture the moment. What was he thinking as he clicked the shutter? Was he simply documenting the scene, or did he have a more profound intention? Look at the way the light hits the faces of the marchers and how the contrast between light and shadow creates a sense of depth. I feel Otto’s presence, his breath held as he captures that exact moment. Photography, like painting, is all about light, composition, and feeling. It is a way of seeing the world and communicating it to others, and Otto invites us to consider the human impulse toward order and conformity. Artists are always in conversation with one another across time. Each gesture, each decision builds upon what came before, pushing the boundaries of creativity and expression.