Optocht Jeugdstorm 1935 - 1937

This small black and white photograph by J. Otto captures a youth parade. I can only imagine the choices Otto faced when making it. The light is harsh, and you can see the edges and grain. It makes me wonder about what he was seeing, what he was thinking. Was he even thinking? Perhaps it was all instinct. I can feel the weight of the camera in his hand, and I imagine the focus on the figures in the procession, the angle of the shot, and the composition. Each decision is like a brushstroke, contributing to the overall feel of the piece. I think of other photographers like August Sander, and Diane Arbus, who have documented and captured human subjects. Photography, like painting, is a form of expression that relies on mark-making, gesture, and, above all, instinct. It's about embracing ambiguity and uncertainty.