Ducks c. 20th century

This photograph, "Ducks," by Karl Struss, it’s all about the process of seeing, isn’t it? The soft, hazy tones create an atmosphere, a mood. Look at how the light kind of dissolves everything. It’s like Struss isn’t just recording a scene, but also the very act of looking. The leaves at the top are dark and heavy but the ducks are barely there, smudges in the water. That contrast is everything. It's not about sharp detail, but about feeling. You could compare this to some of the Impressionist painters, like Monet, who were also obsessed with capturing fleeting moments of light and atmosphere. But while Monet used dabs of color, Struss used the darkroom to play with focus and depth. It’s a reminder that art isn’t just about what you see, but how you see it.