Gezicht op een drassig landschap en vogels die daarboven vliegen before 1902

Hans Watzek made this photograph of a marshy landscape with birds flying above, but we don't know exactly when. What I love about photographs like this one is how they allow you to get lost in the tonal variations and textures. It is also a testament to the photographer's skill in composing an image that feels both natural and balanced. Looking closely, you can see how the light plays across the surface of the water, creating a shimmer that is almost palpable. The reflections of the trees and sky add another layer of depth to the image, making it feel like you could step right into the scene. Notice the reeds in the foreground, their delicate stalks bending in the breeze, you can almost hear the gentle rustling sound they make. Watzek's work reminds me a little of some of the early Pictorialist photographers, like Alfred Stieglitz, who were trying to elevate photography to the level of fine art. Like Stieglitz, Watzek understood that a photograph could be more than just a record of reality.