Tak met wilgekatjes c. 1900 - 1930

Richard Tepe made this photograph of pussy willow catkins, it's all about the way the light lands. The image is a study in textures, right? The velvety softness of the buds against the bare branches, then the contrast with the smooth paper in muted tones. It's like a drawing, but made with light. I think about how Tepe carefully chose his viewpoint, waited for the right moment to capture this perfect balance between detail and abstraction. Look closely, and you'll notice the subtle variations in tone. The way the light caresses the buds, creating soft shadows that define their form. And the composition is so simple, so elegant. The twigs are centered, but not symmetrical, giving a sense of naturalness, of growth. It reminds me of Karl Blossfeldt, with his interest in the sculptural forms of plants, finding beauty in the everyday, in the overlooked. It is a quiet celebration of the natural world.