Intrigue : The Street Photography of Enrico Markus Essl
His work is like a sideways glance into other people’s lives. A playful minimalism where, often solitary – though not always – figures are set out against vast landscapes to ponder existence and their place in the cosmos. A metaphor hanging in space and representing the unimaginable vastness of the universe and our miniscule and insignificant part in it. Austrian-born street photographer Enrico Markus Essl is a skilled and fascinating lensman whose space captured within the frame tantalises and teases.
Copyright ⓒ Enrico Markus Essl
In one sea front view two, solitary figures, sit on benches at opposite sides of a set of three (the middle bench is empty). Alone, they are staring out beyond the railings to the wonderful expanse of ocean beyond. We can only speculate on narrative, but maybe both have come down to sit and be at peace, to recall good memories of younger days?
“I was walking along the seafront,” Enrico recalled, “And, a thunderstorm was catching up. I was captured by the perfect symmetry of the whole scene, namely the three benches, the road markings, the balustrade, the horizon and the two persons. The change of the weather and the persons’ clothing are matching in reverse. The person on the bright side wears something dark and the other way round.”
The photograph speaks of solitude. The figures look small within the great expanse of nature and its mesmerising effect. Essl’s eye leads him to the image and draws him in to the composition, or, perhaps, it is vice versa…
“To put it straight,” He says thoughtfully. “I don’t look for special motives. It’s more the other way round which means that the motives approach me, and the results can be seen in my pictures.”
They certainly can.
Born in Linz, Austria in 1970, Enrico was latterly brought up in Salzburg, a city famous for being the birthplace of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, about 85 miles away from Enrico’s own place of birth.
As a youngster growing up in the famous Austrian city, Enrico soon found a passion for photography.
“I’ve been into photography since my childhood,” He admitted. “I’ve always been interested in different genres. When I was a kid I bought my first camera which was a Russian Zenit Reflex Camera. It was my companion in the following ten years. I developed the photographs by myself in a darkroom and learned the basics of this trade, as I would describe it. The fascination for photography was actually planted inside myself in these childhood and teenager years. And, this fascination has been kept alive until today. About ten years ago I discovered my passion for street photography during my first stay in Berlin. In 2016 I spent one year in this fantastic city and as you can imagine, this place was perfect for being inspired, especially in the field of street photography.”
His photographs are intriguing, sometimes they have the feeling of fragments upon which we are invited to create a narrative.
Copyright ⓒ Enrico Markus Essl
A man’s legs dangle from, what looks like, a fibre glass horse. We are puzzled, but our minds impose upon us a resolution. Perhaps, the unseen man – of course we can only assume it is a man because he is wearing trousers – is drunk? Maybe it is a young father, or mother wearing a suit, with their son or daughter on their knee? There is, in truth, very little information but the man – or woman – seems, from what we can see, to be smartly dressed, neat suit trousers, crisp black socks and expensive looking brown shoes.
Maybe a stressed out businessman (woman) letting of a little steam after a hard day in the office? The red piping, of course, might also be a clue, perhaps this is an architect at the bottom of a ‘dry’ swimming pool, riding a plastic horse as he or she celebrates the completion of the project?
“Not really,” He says modestly when I ask if he has a meaning or a message he wants to suggest to his audience when he takes a photo. “But maybe the observer finds or discovers a message when studying my pictures.”
I was hoping he would say yes. I was hoping he might hint at some cryptic message or meaning he is sending out to the world. But no, we can muse freely over his work. But I also wondered what it was that fascinates and attracts him to street photography?
“The urban jungle of cities,” He says directly. “The people living there, the crucial moments and the endless trips through the streets and places have been stirring my desire to capture moments. To my mind, street photography is capturing glimpses of non – staged situations in urban environment and that’s what makes up this special genre. It’s this spontaneity and the informality that fascinate me.”
Copyright ⓒ Enrico Markus Essl
A mysterious photograph. A solitary woman walks through, what looks like, a fog as she passes through some kind of gateway or doorway and approaches a line of pillars either side of her. It has an ephemeral feel, as if someone or something is moving from one state to another.
“The picture was taken at the International Garden Exhibition in Berlin in 2017,” Enrico explains. “On the way back to the exit I stumbled over a special area of the exhibition with water steam. I had good luck when a woman came along and at the same time the sun was at its lowest point before absolute sunset. The combination of the steam and the backlight formed the perfect composition of this picture. The moment was really perfect. Two minutes later the sun (would have) set and this crucial moment was over.”
Some call it luck, but it takes more than that. It is about the photographer’s timing and how they perceive what is in front of them, and subsequently capture it.
“The most characteristic features are the linear and geometrical elements and their special arrangements,” Essl says of his own work. “Combined with formative colour contrasts. Additionally, a tang of irony and humour are always parts of my work and characterize my approach to street photography.”
What I find fascinating about Enrico Markus Essl’s work is the way it sets a puzzle to the viewer. I am always speaking to myself ‘What is happening here? Why are these figures surrounded by such vastness?’ I think, maybe subconsciously, the Austrian street photographer is working a metaphor for the enormity of the universe and our our tiny role within it.
It reminds me of the E.E. Cummings quote which advocates adventure and exploration : ‘Listen, there’s a hell of a good universe next door ; let’s go’. A positive note for the Christmas and New Year period.
“A new series is in progress,” He informs me when I ask about what his plans. “It’ll be titled ‘Never Make You Smile’, and it will be published as a limited zine. Besides, I will finish my book about Berlin. For this special book I’m looking for a publisher.’
Like his work, it all sounds intriguing.
To See more of Enrico, visit his Website
Copyright ⓒ Enrico Markus Essl
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