Hovenring

A bridge that floats

The Hovenring is a circular cycling bridge that appears to float above the N2 road between Eindhoven and Veldhoven. A central mast, 70 metres tall, holds the bridge up via 24 stay cables. That is the concept, and it works just as well photographically. The circle draws the eye, the cables create rhythm, and the whole structure has a lightness you would not expect from a concrete bridge.

When to go

The blue hour is not a gimmick here, it is a genuine choice. The bridge is lit up, the sky still has colour, and the traffic on the N2 below produces light trails if you work with a long shutter speed. Think two to four seconds, a tripod, and a remote shutter release or self-timer. The combination of the warm orange lighting of the bridge and the blue of the sky gives a contrast that simply does not exist during the day.

Sunset can work too, but arrive early. It takes a little while to work out where you want to stand, and the best spots are on the cycling and pedestrian path on the bridge itself or at the base of the mast.

Composition and focal length

Wide works well, but get close too. The cables from a worm's-eye view, pointing straight up towards the mast, produce an abstract geometry you would not expect from a standard zoom lens. A 16 to 24mm lens gives you enough room to capture the full circle when you are standing on the deck. If you want to photograph the bridge from the outside, you will need more distance. The verges along the N2 are accessible on foot, but stay well clear of moving traffic.

Symmetry is the obvious choice. Sometimes it works better to break it: a cyclist on the bridge, a lamppost that falls just off centre. Something that makes the scale clear.

Practical

You can park near Kennedyplein in Eindhoven or on Meerenakkerweg in Veldhoven. The bridge is accessible to cyclists and pedestrians at any hour. No permit is required for photography from the public road or cycle path. At busy times there are plenty of cyclists crossing the bridge, which can be interesting in itself, but be mindful of your surroundings.

Sources and further reading

• Hovenring officiële site
• Gemeente Eindhoven
• Wikipedia: Hovenring