This was the most carefully planned image of my entire Prague trip. I knew exactly what I wanted: a view of the Charles Bridge guiding the eye into the heart of the Old Town, just as the city transitioned from day to night. As golden lights flickered on and dusk settled in, there was a moment of perfect calm, the glowing city mirrored in still waters, all under a sky fading into deep purples.

To get this shot, I climbed the Old Town Bridge Tower (Staroměstská mostecká věž), targeting a narrow, one-metre-wide window accessed through a tight one-way system. I staked out my spot an hour before sunset, balancing my camera on a wobbly travel tripod, constantly swapping filters and lenses, all while being jostled by tourists trying to squeeze in for a phone snap.

At 45 metres up, with barely enough elbow room and a very real risk of losing a camera to the cobbles below, it was far from a relaxed shoot. But sometimes, it’s the most precarious setups that deliver the greatest rewards.

Photo by: Bradley Basten