Cologne Cathedral and Hohenzollern Bridge

I shot this photo during a trip to Cologne, standing at a spot that beautifully frames the majestic Cologne Cathedral alongside the Hohenzollern Bridge. It's a place I've always wanted to capture because it shows two iconic symbols of the city in one frame. The evening light really does something special here, bringing out the golden tones of the bridge against the evening sky.

The Cathedral, with its towering spires, is always an impressive sight. It's one of the tallest cathedrals in the world, and its grandeur is best appreciated from a distance that takes in the full height. At this moment, I used my Canon EOS 7D, pairing it with the EF-S17-55mm lens to get the broad perspective I needed. This lens is fantastic for wide views while keeping details crisp.

The Hohenzollern Bridge is another favorite subject of mine. Not just for its structure but because it’s a popular spot for love locks. Walking across it, you can see thousands of these locks, placed by couples from all around the world. I didn’t focus on the locks this time, but instead, the way the bridge glows at night, reflecting in the Rhine River.

Interestingly, the bridge is one of the most heavily used railway bridges in Germany, with more than 1,200 trains passing every day. I love how it contrasts with the calmness of the water below.

Standing there with my camera, taking in the view, it's moments like these that make photography exciting for me – capturing the ordinary scenes of life in a way that feels extraordinary.