Faith

Faith

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Description
From Pictorial Artistry: The Dramatization of the Beautiful in Photography
"Eighty years old, but twice a day, down the road comes dear old great-grandmother making her feeble way to the little village church. A hard life with untold and bitter experiences behind her, yet there remains on her kindly face an expression of deep reverence, happiness and hope as she enters the ancient edifice. On her knees she will pray and meditate with her Lord—It may be her last tribute—such is Faith.
Composition:
An arrangement of things that have weathered the storm of time. The old church door, half open, the old trees, the time worn road, and the old lady grouped in perfect harmony. Everything so peaceful and simple—they belong together.
Technical Problems:
Passing through the village I saw the church and the old lady. Anticipating she would go there I made my camera ready and waited for the right moment. It never came because the old lady walked through the shade behind the tree. Realizing the impossible composition, I quickly stepped forward to open the church door for her. This gave me an opportunity to speak, and subsequently induce her to come back and walk up to the church along a path suitable for the composition. The picture was photographed in broad horizontal dimensions, but was later cropped to these more vertical proportions to simplify the detail and emphasize the center of interest. Extreme contrasts were overcome by local reduction on the negative.
Data:
Camera: 2 ¼ x 3 ¼ Makina
Lens: Anticomar
Opening: f.8
Exposure: 1/50, in hand
Film: Agfa Super Plenachrome
Transparency: 8x10 Eastman Commercial
Paper Negative: Charcoal Black F
Print: 14x17 Defender Veltura P"
by Adolf Fassbender, 1937
Location
Currently not on view
Object Name
photograph
photogravure
date made
before 1937
maker
Fassbender, Adolf
Physical Description
paper (overall material)
Measurements
image: 11 in x 8 7/8 in; 27.94 cm x 22.5425 cm
ID Number
PG.004116.30
catalog number
4116.30
accession number
146001
See more items in
Work and Industry: Photographic History
Adolf Fassbender, Pictorial Artistry
Photography
Data Source
National Museum of American History
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