Belgium is often perceived as a small country without great relief
or spectacular landscapes. Cédric Puisney, a Brussels-based photographer,
proves otherwise through each of his shots. For over ten years, he has
travelled across the Belgian territory, from the Ardennes to the North
Sea coast, to capture its discreet and authentic beauty.
The Ardennes, kingdom of mist and forests
This is undoubtedly the region that inspires Cédric the most. The
Ardennes forests in the early morning, wrapped in a light mist, offer
ideal conditions for landscape photography. The cold tones, the rays
of light piercing through the trees, the rivers such as the Ourthe
or the Semois winding through the valleys — each season tells a
different story.
In autumn, the ochre and golden colours transform the forest into
a true impressionist painting. In winter, the snow erases details
and imposes a visual silence that Cédric particularly cherishes.
Brussels, between modernity and heritage
The Belgian capital is an inexhaustible source of inspiration. Cédric
photographs both the cobbled streets of the Marolles district and the
Art Nouveau facades of Ixelles. The Grand-Place, listed as a UNESCO
World Heritage Site, takes on an almost mystical dimension when
photographed at dawn, before the tourists arrive.
The rooftops of Brussels, seen from the heights of Laeken or Auderghem,
reveal a dense and complex city where eras and architectural styles
intermingle.
The Belgian coast, between sky and sea
Sixty-seven kilometres of coastline — it’s not much, but it’s enough
for Cédric. He loves photographing the coast outside the summer season,
when the beaches are deserted and the sky takes on dramatic hues. The
jetties of Ostend, the dunes of De Panne, the breakwaters disappearing
into the mist — all subjects that reveal the melancholic beauty of the
Belgian seaside in autumn or winter.
Through his work, Cédric Puisney invites us to look at our country
with fresh eyes. There is no need to travel to the ends of the earth
to find breathtaking landscapes — sometimes it is enough to wake up
early, observe the light, and press the shutter at the right moment.