Hängeseilbrücke Geierlay: Swinging over a German valley
What’s a better way to celebrate the end of the lockdown than visit the German village Mörsdorf and shoot the Geierlay bridge? That’s exactly what German photographer Dennis Billstein thought when he started his road trip to Geierlay.
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About Hängeseilbrücke Geierlay
Hängeseilbrücke Geierlay is a suspension bridge that spans a valley and connects the two German villages Mörsdorf and Sosberg. Underneath the bridge, a stream called Mörsdorfer Bach flows.
The Geierlay crossing has a length of 360 meters and is up to 100 meters high, making it the second largest suspension bridge in Germany. With its length, it’s not unusual for the Geierlay to sway back and forth a bit, especially when there is strong wind or when there are quite a few people crossing the bridge.
Visit Hängeseilbrücke Geierlay in 2021
The bridge is permanently open for pedestrians (without a toll) and was recently chosen as part of Germany’s Top 100 sightseeing destinations.
During the day, the bridge is very busy with hikers and tourists, so we recommend you visit it early or later in the day. Even then, you probably won’t be the only photographer who’s waiting for the perfect shot.
About the shot
Landscape photography might seem as black magic for some of our adventurous readers and aspiring photographers, that’s why we decided to break down the technical details behind this shot.
When we asked German photographer Dennis Billstein for some insights on how to shoot the Geierlay bridge, he mentioned that he shot it from the Mörsdorf side and even revealed a few additional tips.
“I decided to take the shot in the morning to have a sweet golden hour look, which is obvious when you look at my shot.
Another suggestion that may come in handy is to look into bringing multiple lenses. I would bring both a longer lens along (50mm or even an 85mm) for the compression apart from the usual wide-angle lens. This is because when you shoot the bridge with something like a 14-24 lens, most of the bridge won’t fit in your picture, while a lens with a longer focal length makes the entire bridge visible.
Regarding taking the actual shot, wait for the sun to hit the sides of the bridge and be fast when this happens because it only lasts for a few minutes!
Finally: you probably won’t be the only photographer who’s waiting for the sunrise, so take your time and talk with them. Creating a network with like-minded people is amazing and will bring you new approaches and styles!”
We’ve listed the gear and the settings Dennis used below to give you more insights into the technique behind the shot.
Gear
- Body: Nikon Z6
- Lens: Nikkor Z 24-70mm f/4 s
- Drone: DJI Mavic Pro
This guide on Nikon lenses for traveling provides a comprehensive overview of some of the best options available, including wide-angle and zoom lenses, to help you capture stunning photos of your travels.
Settings
- Shutter speed: 1/60
- ISO: 100
- Aperture: f/4
Software
About Dennis Billstein
Dennis Billstein is a German photographer specializing in wildlife and landscape photography, he is known to experiment with different photography styles and techniques.
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