Jonas Grauel
Columns, Poles and Trees – Vertical Lines in the Street
Each of the pictures of Columns, Poles and Trees“ combines a formal element of composition – the vertical line – with the spontaneity of street photography. Thus, the series aims to explore the interplay of formality and freedom. In composition, strong lines divide the basic area of a picture into several smaller sections. Harald Mante, author of The Photograph: Composition and Color Design“ writes that vertical lines suggest closeness and warmth – contrasting the effect of horizontal lines suggesting distance and coolness. This resonates well with the intention of street photography to draw us into various urban scenes. Street photography also intends to capture unique moments within everyday life and tells little stories about them. In the series the vertical elements are integrated into these little stories. We see people partly hidden behind a tree, leaning against a pole or fingers grabbing a pole.
