Show van de Duitse Luftwaffe Possibly 1939

This photograph, taken by the Associated Press, captures a display of the German Luftwaffe. Made using photographic paper and darkroom techniques, the image’s stark black and white tones amplify the imposing aerial fleet formation overhead, and the brutalist eagle and swastika emblem below. This wasn't just a record; it was a carefully constructed propaganda tool. The image would have been printed using industrial processes, designed for mass consumption. Note the way the planes are arranged in perfect formation. This precision is mirrored in the sharp lines of the eagle, and contrasts with the indistinct crowd below. The visual language speaks to the supposed efficiency and order of the Nazi regime, and also conceals the human cost required for the creation of the machinery of war. Looking at this image, it's crucial to see beyond the surface and consider how materials, processes, and social context intertwine to give the photograph its power.