Roerdomp op het nest 1900 - 1930

This small black and white photograph, "Roerdomp op het nest," captures a bittern and its chicks nestled in reeds, and was made by Richard Tepe, a Dutch photographer, some time between 1864 and 1952. I can imagine Tepe, crouching low, the tall grasses swaying around him, the camera held steady as he waits for the perfect light. The image is grainy, almost like a charcoal drawing, and full of subtle tonal shifts, giving the photo a painterly quality. Look at how the vertical lines of the reeds create this rhythmic dance. Tepe probably spent hours observing and waiting to capture the right moment, and as a painter, I really relate to that meditative state. The muted tones speak to me of quiet observation. It reminds me of other artists who embrace the unexpected, turning imperfections into something beautiful. Ultimately, photography and painting are in an ongoing conversation. Each medium teaches us new ways of seeing and feeling the world.