Dirk Wetzel

In his independent work, photographer Dirk Wetzel continually explores new forms of expression and techniques in photography. Following "Railway Diaries" and "Line," in "Rest" he finds the transition to the abstract and recurring lines of nature.

The "Railway Diaries" are a personal long-term project. Over a period of weeks, Dirk Wetzel accompanied residents of the Asian metropolises of Hanoi, Vietnam, and Bangkok, Thailand. In the neighborhoods where many trains wind their way through the narrow residential areas every day and people have to come to terms with the black steel giants, moving photographs were taken that impressively document the everyday life of the local people.

Rest is Dirk Wetzel's first abstract work, in which he uses a camera technique developed over several months to depict natural forms in a way that has never been seen before.

In "Line," Dirk Wetzel presents his work on the railway landscape in northern Basel, which has been lying dormant for many years. These photographs once again demonstrate Dirk Wetzel's remarkable ability to translate holistic perception into striking images.

Dirk Wetzel lives and works as a freelance photographer in southern Germany and Switzerland. A career changer and self-taught artist, he was active as a drummer in London before deciding to take a break and documenting a year-long trip around the world through photography. Parallels between music and photography became apparent—both art forms follow their own structures, both make feelings and meaning perceptible through sight and hearing. It is this sensitivity that enriches his images with tremendous emotion and makes the monumental tangible in an impressive way.

In addition to commissioned work in portrait, lifestyle, architecture, and documentary photography, Dirk Wetzel devotes himself intensively to independent projects.