Mt. Tamalpias c. 1915

This photograph, Mt. Tamalpias, was taken by Willard E. Worden. Looking at this image, I imagine Worden, maybe with a large format camera, patiently setting up the shot. He's capturing a scene, but also, he's capturing light. I see a quiet, contemplative mood, a sort of stillness that invites you to pause and reflect. The mountain looms large, a solid, grounding presence, while the water ripples with movement and light. I wonder what Worden was thinking as he framed this view? Maybe he was drawn to the way the clouds hug the mountain, creating a sense of mystery and drama. Or maybe he was simply captivated by the beauty of the landscape, the way the light dances on the water and illuminates the contours of the land. This photograph reminds us that seeing is never passive. It is an active process of engagement, interpretation, and reflection. Like a painting, it offers a particular way of seeing, thinking, and experiencing the world.