I was drawn to this photograph due to its simplicity and use of elements. The lamp post is constructed beautifully and symmetric in the photograph taken. The contrast of the lamp post which emits light but it is seen in a negative space really contradicts the point of the lamp post in a great way. The building in the back being lit brings me to the conclusion that this photo is taken on the street in a busy city. The way Ilse Bing shoots this shot is full of creativity. Such a simple shot, something I would have passed so easily trying to take shots, turned out to be so beautifully constructed. In all I believe the negative space of this main object really ties together this piece and makes this street photography really succeed.
There is a great contrast between dark and light on the two sides of the photograph, simple and detailed and, as you note, negative and positive space.