In July 2023, I spent a long weekend in Copenhagen, the capital of Denmark, with a very good friend. Why? Because for my bachelor’s thesis, I wanted to experience effective urban planning firsthand, see how bicycles are seamlessly integrated into a city, and—as a bonus—the train connection was actually pretty decent. The train ride turned out to be a bit different than expected, but we still managed to reach our hotel, located right next to the metro station, late at night. The view from our room of the metro in the Ørestad district was, at the very least, worth a photo.
Admittedly, the weather on both days was changeable—it was warm, but it also rained regularly. This was challenging for my photography ambitions, since I had actually hoped for a beautiful sky. Copenhagen didn’t give me that during the day.
But on the last evening, I finally got the light I had hoped for in the city. The low evening sun in July cast a golden glow on the truly beautiful clouds above the city. The domed Marmorkirken church, which dominates the city center and is located not far from the Royal Palace, towered majestically over the skyline as we took the public ferry into the harbor to get a unique perspective of the city.
All in all, I have to say that while Copenhagen wasn’t the most photogenic city for me when I visited, its way of life really left a lasting impression on me. Although it’s a European capital, the city somehow radiates an incredible sense of calm. The people seem generally content—there’s no hustle and bustle, just a feeling for which the Danes have come up with their own term: hygge.
And that’s exactly how I feel every time I look at the photos from Copenhagen. The weather wasn’t the best, and the train ride to the Danish capital—which was delayed by more than two hours—wasn’t exactly uneventful, but I’m still very sure that I’ll visit the city again, hopefully with much more experience behind the camera and consistently good weather.
- The SchludgyShot of the trip -
My photo from the entire trip to Copenhagen symbolizes the whole vacation. It’s a long-exposure shot taken from the waterfront near the opera house, across from the historic old town. The long exposure makes both the water’s surface appear as smooth as glass and the sky look very still. The weather is depicted as it was for the most part: thick clouds, a moody atmosphere—somewhat oppressive, yet somehow friendly and open.
It thus perfectly captures the feeling that the city exudes. You can sense the serenity, but also the pride the Danish people take in their magnificent country.
