Jonge wulpen op de heide c. 1900 - 1940

Richard Tepe made this photograph, Jonge wulpen op de heide, with a camera and photographic paper. What a cluster! Tepe has captured these chicks all huddled together, and if you look closely, you’ll notice each one seems to be dozing. I love the way that the light and shadow play across the scene, creating these almost abstract patterns. And how the soft fluffiness of the chicks contrasts with the sharp, spindly texture of the surrounding heather. I am reminded of Kertész, with his high contrast photos, and the focus on the everyday. Like him, Tepe is interested in capturing a moment, a feeling. Here, it’s a feeling of quiet, of being still in nature, but also this incredible sense of texture and light that makes it feel totally contemporary, and just so, so lovely!