Guest contribution by my dad on taking photos in Bruges at night.
The weather was looking dreadful for the year-end. I had canceled my little photo-trip to the Opal Coast. A bit of rain does not scare me off but spending three days staring at it from behind the window of a B&B is just too much. So I quite literally took a rain check…
But on Saturday afternoon it looked nice outside despite the announced storm. Time for photography? But where to go?
My trip to Brussels the week before told me that, with a sunset at 16:39, maybe cityscapes were the better choice. So I grabbed my gear and drove to Bruges right here in Belgium.
Capturing Bruges
The city was busier than ever. When entering the ring road, all parking signs said “Full”. But I was lucky: headed for the large parking near the station, got in and immediately found a car leaving. Although the station is on the outskirts of town, it is really ideally situated to start a walk. You just need to cross the road to arrive at the ‘Minnewater' (‘Lovers pond' could be a good translation). From there on it is a nice stroll to the center, alongside the Beguinage. There are still Beguines living in the charming little houses so this is a place of silence.
But I had no time. I wanted to be in position for a picture I wanted to make for a long time now. So I hurried passed brewery De Halve Maan (‘The Half Moon'), paid no attention to the church of the Holy Mary, nor to the Groeningemuseum.
I just went on to that one famous corner that is an icon of Bruges, photographed so many times, but I never had the pleasure of capturing it after dark myself.
I finally got in position at the Dijver. The corner where during daytime the tourist boats leave is an ideal spot to capture the Bruges sunset at its best. Right before sunset, the light was changing all the time. It was busy and lots of people passed by – quite a few asking to take their picture. Some fellow photographers came and went as well, but I was waiting for the dark this time.
Well, that was in the bag. Time to head home. I do need to come back and take more photos of Bruges by night. In fact, I need to do more nightly cityscapes; winter is ideal for that. On the way home, I took some more time to admire – and of course shoot – the locations I had been rushing past earlier that evening.
It was a quick trip, but in the end, I was pretty happy with my Bruges photos. What do you think?
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Ed King says
Beautiful pictures ! I really enjoy night photography and especially if a scene presents itself like this.. very nice
Rhonda @ Travel? Yes Please! says
How nice! I didn’t get to see Bruges at night because there was an insane downpour during our only night there. I love night photography, so was very disappointed that I couldn’t go out and capture some photos. Oh well…at least I got to see Bruges during the day!
Sofie says
And with these photos you also saw it at night!:)
Hans Couwenbergh says
Thanks for the nice comments. Actually, living in Belgium as I mentioned even I never managed to capture it at night. Either it was indeed pouring down or the diner and company were so nice I could hardly leave the table for some photography. That’s the advantage of winter and a sunset at 4:30 pm… Still need to do another one – I missed some hint of a cloud…
Paul Marshman says
Wonderful shots. I think you could spend the whole year photographing Bruges and never have a bad day — but some planning and patience makes them even better, as you show. I got a couple of nice night shots at the end of my day in Bruges — you can see them here: https://travellingboomer.com/a-magical-day-in-bruges/
Corinne says
Love your night photos. Bruges is such a gorgeous little city. We took photos from your first spot too…that is right after having a beer in the pub down the alley…best of both worlds!
Hans Couwenbergh says
Thank you! Need to get into travel portraiture myself next!
Jennifer says
Love that second photo during blue hour!
Sofie says
It looks great, doesn’t it. I should take some classes from my dad:)
Rilane says
Great pictures. Monuments sensational evening look :)
Nicole says
We were in Bruges only a month or so ago. A wonderful city for just going for a walk and taking it all in. Just an incredible town. Your night photos really bring that out.
Hans Couwenbergh says
Thanks Nicole… Barbados does not look so bad either! ;-)
Jay B. says
Quite a fairytale setting, very cozy sights! It feels like in the middle of a film set.. I hear there are not that many attractions in Bruges and it´s rather the city irself that is the main sightseeing. I have to say I´m always more than happy to roam a city and skip the crowds waiting in lines for this or that attraction. So far Bruges ssounds like my kind of place.
Sofie says
Well, it’s true that there aren’t as many attractions as in Brussels or Antwerp, for example, but you have to keep in mind that Bruges isn’t that big either.
There are some museums and there’s the Brewery De Halve Maan that my dad already mentioned as well.
I do agree that Bruges is more of a town to just wander around in. It’s especially known for its small streets and old buildings which give it that fairy tale look.
Hans Couwenbergh says
So Jay you know have another city to put on your todo list. I’d agree that Brugge is a city to wander around in and not just visit museums (although there are some). Then, when you’re done, follow the canal to Damme, a quaint little village just a few kilometers away. In fact, you can just take the boat there from Brugge. Reminds me I need to do a piece on Damme as well!
Thanks for the comments!
Sofie says
You know I’ll now be waiting for that piece, right? :p
Helen says
Great photos!
Helen
Heidi (@WagonersAbroad) says
These are so gorgeous. We are hoping to spend a week in that area this summer. I can’t wait! Your photos have me searching for accommodation now. ;-)
Sofie says
Happy to have put you in Bruges-mood :-)
If there’s anything I can help with when you’re planning your trip to Belgium, let me know!
Rose says
Beautiful photographs. I love Brugge city and was there just in time for Christmas last year. The Christmas lights and decorations just add to the charm. Of course.. there’s also the whole chocolate thing… :P.
Thanks so much for sharing!
~Rose
Sofie says
I haven’t been to Bruges yet in the Christmas period, must have been beautiful.
Luckily there chocolate thing is all year round:p
Gran Canaria Local says
Beautiful photos. You have inspired us to try out some night photography in Gran Canaria. Although we’ll have to wait quite a bit later than 4:30pm for the light to sufficiently fade.
Hugh Edwards says
Hi
Having a look at your wonderful photography of Bruge. We are visiting for 3 days and your photographs have inspired me to visit some of these places.
Great work
Hans Couwenbergh says
Thank you. You could actually see all of these places in one very nice walk!
Dave says
Great Photos of Bruges!
I am going in 2 weeks time, what sort of camera settings did you use to get such sharp images?
Hans Couwenbergh says
Hi Dave, I could give you what camera settings I’d use in such circumstances but to make sure I went back through my photo archive for you. Probably more important than the camera settings is that all of these images were obviously made with the camera mounted on a tripod, as we’re talking long exposures here. I have used for diafragma f16 until f9 in the city. I openen up to f7.1 for the darkest areas. Many exposures are 20 to 30 seconds. So camera is mostly on diafragma priority (Av) and with exposures longer than 30 seconds on “B”. Lenses used: a 16-35 and a 17mm T&S