"Lowering Clouds"

North Germany

photogravure

Important representative of the American pictorialism. Fassbender was born in Germany and time and again returned to the Black Forest or Tyrol to take pictures.
(Fritz Simak)

Although situated in the northern part of Germany, it reminds one of a typical old Dutch setting. The twin trees on the left, resemble two overgrown children looking peacefully at the windmill. The single dark tree in the center also looking over, breaks up the long stretch to the mill. The two-legged wheel, quite different from the usual mill, was turning quickly and broke the stillness of the otherwise quiet scene. Evening was nearing and the lazy clouds seemed to be trying to settle down on the landscape and go to rest for the night.
Composition:
Steelyard, but somewhat elongated. This adds to the simple setting and gives it a dramatic touch. The horizontal flow of the river conveys tranquility which is gracefully broken by its curve in the foreground. The reflections in the water break up the dangerously monotonous horizontal movement. Emphasis in the sky is centered near the mill to enhance the leading motive.
Technical Problems:
The film was light struck and had to be saved by local reduction. The clouds were utterly shapeless and had to be modeled while emphasis was put near the mill. The mill and the important trees were darkened to give them more importance. The wheel blades were almost invisible and had to be strengthened via retouching.
Data:
Camera: 2 ¼ x 3 ¼ Makina
Lens: Plaubel Anticomar
Stop: f.11
Film: Agfa Super Plenachrome
Exposure: 1/25, in hand
Print: Tuma Gas, toned
(Adolf Fassbender, 1937)