Brussels awakens – Where history and modernity meet

by Elisabeth Rozenberg

In the early morning, when Brussels is slowly waking up and the city is still shrouded in a serene silence, a remarkable spectacle unfolds on Place de la Monnaie.

On the left stands the stately façade of the Théâtre Royal de la Monnaie, a monument that exudes history, culture and elegance. On the right, a modern office block provides a striking contrast with its clean lines, large glass panels and contemporary architecture. Two worlds, two eras, yet together they form the characteristic cityscape of Brussels.

With my camera on a tripod, I captured this moment in HDR. By merging multiple exposures, both the subtle details in the façades and the warm colours of the rising sun are beautifully brought to life. The soft morning glow bathes the buildings in a golden hue, whilst the clouds in the sky reflect the first light of day.

The wet square catches the warm highlights, lending the whole scene extra depth and atmosphere. Even the smallest details contribute to the story: the modern benches, the young tree, the street furniture and a solitary seagull strolling quietly across the square.

For me, this is exactly what makes urban photography so fascinating: capturing a moment where old and new meet, whilst the city still seems, for a brief moment, entirely itself. A city poised between the past and the future, captured in the first light of day.