You know that moment when you arrive way too early for an event, and now you have to figure out what to do with yourself? That was me a while ago in Antwerp, on "Het Eilandje" (which, fun fact, translates to "The Island" but is absolutely not an island—welcome to Belgium). I was there for an AI info session for IT professionals—because, let’s face it, if AI is coming for our jobs, we might as well get front-row seats, right? And in fact, that WAS the outcome of the evening, you better be prepared!
Now, being the socially awkward overthinker that I sometimes am, I had the perfect plan: bring a camera. Because when in doubt, hide behind a lens! So, I started wandering around, and what do you know? The MAS (Museum Aan de Stroom) decided to show off in the night lights. And I mean really show off. Like that one friend who doesn’t just dress up for a party but becomes the party. The architecture of this place is already insane, like a game of Tetris gone rogue, but at night? With the warm lights glowing from within? It’s a whole mood.
The MAS: A building that knows it’s photogenic
If you haven’t been to the MAS, let me break it down for you. It’s a museum. I know, you couldn't have guessed. But it’s not just a museum, it’s the museum. An architectural beast, standing tall along the river, designed to make sure nobody ever takes a bad picture of it.
It’s got these massive, stacked blocks, with open glass sections in between, making it look like some futuristic fortress or the headquarters of an ultra-rich Bond villain. (Still waiting for a secret lair to emerge from the river. And then a rocket with the bad guy shooting up!)
And here’s a cool personal story: years ago, @nathalie-s and I did a wedding shoot on the roof of this beast. Yes, the roof. Picture this, Antwerp stretching out in every direction, the golden glow of the sunset, and a couple standing there, soaking it all in. Now, Nathalie? She doesn’t do things halfway. She climbed on top of the airco units to get an even crazier angle. Because why settle for a great view when you can risk life and limb for the best shot? (Spoiler: she survived. The photos? Totally worth it! The couple loved them! And the experience as well.)
Shooting night photography at the MAS
So, armed with my camera and some extra time to kill, I went full photography nerd on this place. The mix of warm interior lighting and the cool blue evening sky? Chef’s kiss. The reflections on the water? Pure magic. The stillness of the scene contrasted with the lights of the city? It’s moments like this that make me glad I got there early instead of spending 45 minutes scrolling memes in my car.
Capturing the MAS at night is all about finding the right angles, something dynamic, something that makes the building look as epic as it is in real life. A wide-angle lens helps, and if you can, play with reflections on the water. Trust me, the MAS knows how to work its angles, it’s practically posing for you.
Why you should visit the MAS (Even if you don’t care about museums)
Even if museums aren’t your thing, the MAS is worth a visit. Go for the view, go for the insane architecture, or just go to flex on your Instagram followers.
- Daytime: It’s a great spot to explore Antwerp’s history and culture.
- Nighttime: It turns into a glowing futuristic masterpiece that screams "take my picture."
- Roof: Best city view. No contest. And totally free to access.
So, if you ever find yourself in Antwerp, wandering around "Het Eilandje" with a camera in hand, do yourself a favor: take a few moments to appreciate this beast of a building. It’s a true icon, and whether you love architecture, photography, or just cool places, it won’t disappoint.
And if you see someone balancing on top of an airco unit to get that shot… well, you just might be witnessing history in the making.
📸 Captured & Edited
Shot with: Apple iPhone 14 Max Pro & Fujifilm X-T2
Edited using: Lightroom Mobile & Skylum Luminar AI
All photos are my own work. Dive deeper and explore more on my website or check out my links.
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