Zeelandbrug

The longest bridge in the Netherlands

The Zeelandbrug connects Noord-Beveland with Schouwen-Duiveland and stretches just over five kilometres across the Oosterschelde. It is the longest bridge in the Netherlands, and as a photographer you feel that immediately. The bridge literally disappears into the distance. That perspective is the great strength of this location.

The bridge consists of a series of concrete piers spaced at regular intervals. At a long focal length, say 200mm or more, those piers compress into a tight, rhythmic line. With a wide angle, closer to the bank or the water, the verticals dominate and you get more sky and water in the frame. Both approaches work, but they tell different stories.

Light and season

Sunrise is the best time to be here. The light comes in low across the water and catches the sides of the piers. In autumn and winter, mist frequently hangs over the Oosterschelde, and the bridge partly disappears into the grey. Those are the shots you come back for. The blue hour in the evening works well too, especially when the bridge lights are on and the water reflects them.

Summer is busier and the light is less interesting, but in calm conditions with high water and a clear sky you can place the bridge as a clean line against blue. That calls for a tripod and an exposure of several seconds to smooth out the water.

Where to set up

On the Colijnsplaat side there is a car park right next to the bridge approach. From the bank you have an unobstructed view across the water towards the bridge. You can also walk up the dyke for a slightly higher vantage point. On the Zierikzee side access is more limited, but there are options along the waterfront there as well. A wide tripod that holds firm in the wind is not a luxury here, as it can blow hard.

No permit is required for photography from the public banks. Photographing on the carriageway itself is of course not permitted.

Practical

Before you set out, check the weather forecast specifically for mist or haze over the water. The KNMI website gives the most reliable information for that. Also keep an eye on the tide: at low water the mudflats are exposed and make for a more interesting foreground.

Sources and further reading

• Rijkswaterstaat over de Zeelandbrug
• KNMI weerbericht en mistinformatie
• Wikipedia: Zeelandbrug