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-Dutch windmill-


-Dutch windmill-
Photo Information
Copyright: imre klaasen (imrek) Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1353 W: 65 N: 1280] (6766)
Genre: Places
Medium: Black & White
Date Taken: 2007-07-19
Categories: Architecture
Camera: Canon 20D, Sigma 10-20mm F4-5.6 EX DC HSM
Exposure: f/11, 1/60 seconds
Photo Version: Original Version
Date Submitted: 2008-03-13 1:16
Viewed: 551
Points: 20
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
The windmill was built in 1899. This windmill was in working order until 1941. When the war began, the sails were sawn off in order to avoid the enemies to use then for signalling. It is known from the history that during World War I the French, using the sails, gave signals about the movement direction and even about the number of enemies to their own troops.
After the war, the windmill was used as a store, and the miller’s living area – in the left protrusion from the front view – as an apartment.

On 4 January 1974, Café Veski opened for visitors. “Veski” is an architectural monument of national importance.

People started building Dutch windmills in Saaremaa only in the second half of the 19th century, though such type of windmills spread from Western Europe to the Baltic States in the 17th century already. Unlike post windmills, only the upper part and sails of Dutch windmills were turned towards the wind. Those mills were bigger, more powerful and had an original look.
Dutch windmills were technically more advanced than the post windmills that were earlier widely used in Saaremaa. In addition to meal and groats (coarse grinding), it was possible to mill grain into flour in Dutch windmills. For that purpose there were several pairs of grindstones. The diameter of the grindstones was about a metre and they were 30 cm thick. The upper stone was thicker than the lower one in order to get better flour. To get finer grains, the grinding surface was cut uneven. Strong north wind favoured grinding – it was even and made beautiful flour. Soft south wind was uneven and therefore the windmill also worked unevenly. On islands, people milled with west wind. If the wind was favourable, people worked twenty-four hours, except Saturday and Sunday nights.
Windmill is 17 meeters high and if we include also the wings then the highest point will be 24 meeters.
Gerrit, feather, carper, siolaw, jhm, fabio_ts, AiresSantos, gary91 has marked this note useful
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Critiques [Translate]

Hi Imre,
Fantastic composition.
Very good capture.
Congratulations. Uğur

  • Great 
  • Gerrit Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 3999 W: 82 N: 4817] (23617)
  • [2008-03-13 2:01]

Hi Imre,
interesting story, telling me all kind of new stuff about Dutch windmills. Fine picture witrh the aura around the mill.
Regards, Gerrit

Interesting post of a subject not usually associated with Estonia. Well composed image with the widmill just off-centre against a paler part of the sky. The B&W conversion gives the image the timeless feel.
Well done
Kath

  • Great 
  • carper Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 9292 W: 445 N: 14616] (51323)
  • [2008-03-13 10:38]

a nice shot of this windmil shot
it is not an easy one with the difficult light, I like the black and white you choose here, good usse of the wide lens, fine photojob, have a nice evening.
gr. jaap

Hello Imre
I love windmills and this one's a beauty. It stands out proud in your well composed shot and I like the black and white conversion. The bench at the front provides good foreground interest. Well done.
Best wishes
Mark

  • Great 
  • siolaw Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 3778 W: 393 N: 6182] (21176)
  • [2008-03-13 20:08]

Hello Imre,
The B&W conversion adds an historical feel to an already quite traditional scene...Good off centered framing and fine contrast and sharpness levels.
Good work
Laurent

  • Great 
  • jhm Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 12311 W: 244 N: 16146] (64582)
  • [2008-03-19 6:41]

Hello Imre,

I've always very alot respect for all pictures on TE, also this picture is very well with the Dutch mill as subject.
I would this mill in colour want see, I think that this image would are a lot more beautiful.
But I know very well that every photographer make his own choice.
I feel my back as child just after WAR II with this image as nostalgia, very well done.
Thanks for sharing.

Best regards,
John.

Hi Imre
Great black and white composition with the typical windmill. Very good quality. I also like the note.
Greetings
Aires

  • Great 
  • gary91 Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1988 W: 481 N: 2900] (13163)
  • [2008-03-21 22:22]

Hello Imre,
This is a very nice composition. Maybe the windmill is just a little bit too centered and I would have moved it just a few mm to the right ?
Nice b&w conversion causing a great moof.
Have a nice day.
Best regards, Christian

hello imre
I like the choice du N&B of this picture, framing very good, the mill is well tallied in the medium of this place well done
gilbert

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