"Weed Beauty"

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)

Away from the road, in back of the farmhouse, there is a little pool. A tiny spring of a nondescript origin is the source of its existence. This murky little pond is the delight of ducks and pigs.Here, near its muddy shore thrives the beautiful white flower called a “Weed”. Bathed in sunshine and reflections, and nourished by the richness of the soil beneath, one forgets its sinister surroundings and sees beauty where one does not expect it. It all happens in photography.
Composition:
Separation of the motive from the surroundings is demonstrated forcefully in this composition. Making use of the dark reflection of a house, the bunch of white flowers is set off in great contrast and to take the necessary prominence. Tone balance is so arranged that the brightest light and dark culminates below and around the flowers. The broken flower in a horizontal position breaks the otherwise monotonous repetition of the many vertical stems.
Technical Problems:
Local reduction of the negative was used on the top and sides to avoid restlessness in the picture. Emphasis was placed on the flowers by retouching. Etching and more retouching removed unnecessary twigs and rubbish in the water. Balancing of tone was done in the printing.
Data:
Camera: Jewel A (Zeiss)
Lens: Tessar
Stop: f.8
Filter: Medium Yellow
Film: Agfa Plenachrome
Exposure: 1/5 second, on tripod
Print: 14x17 Tuma Gas, direct
(Adolf Fassbender, 1937)