In the early morning light, lone figures are standing along rivers and canals, under bridges and highways, dwarfed by rows of residential towers and construction sites. In the midst of a built environment meant to liberate men from the constraints of nature, they cast their rods in silence. Standing still, as to be almost indiscernible, they seem oblivious of their surroundings and solely remain focused on the small stretch of water in front of them. We see them in the most unexpected places, finding personal space against the odds, and quietly waiting for their line to tighten.
Ralph Steinegger (b. 1976) has lived in Beijing, New York, Istanbul, Singapore and now Shanghai. He is using his analogue cameras to document mostly cities and show their contradictions, hidden sides, and poetry.