The Cinematic Pannenhuis metro station

Photography and copy by Thomas Milton

Preface

Taking a metro in Brussels is like entering different art galleries along the way, approximately 69 stations have different visual aesthetics in the form of art, in the 60s during the planning of the metro system in Brussels, the local authorities found a way to enforce art components in the metro stations, instead of the traditional visual advertising that we see around any other major European capital, with this concept they filled a large part of the metros station with art. But let’s focus on the Pannenhuis metro station, located on the outskirts of Brussels.

The spaceship

‍This tiny station is surreal, located outside and far from any tourist spot in Brussels, from the moment your step in the station, these gigantic doubled oval colorful lights lead the path to the escalator towards the platforms, my first impression was that I was entering a spaceship from a Science fiction movie from the 70’s, or even a Black Mirror episode that could go wrong.

While photographing the station you can completely forget that this is a metro station, the dark lights and shades create contrast with the gigantic circular lights and tubes in the ceiling illuminating certain areas that creates light gaps across the whole station. The best photography area is around the escalator, going upwards or downwards, due to the high ceiling lights it’s a great spot to apply different optical contrast between the elements, resulting in a visual illusion between the floor and the lights on the ceiling.

There are plenty of visual opportunities for cinematic photography or architectural photography, it doesn’t matter what time of the day due to the internal location, but it’s recommended to bring a tripod to capture light trails and cinematic pixel-perfect images of this photogenic and surreal metro station in Europe

Pannenhuis metro station empty platform — On the platform of the station

Pannenhuis metro station inside — Entrance Hall

Pannenhuis metro station escalator — Access to the escalators

Pannenhuis metro station entrance hall — Daily commuters

Pannenhuis metro station train — Metro light trails

Pannenhuis metro station escalator low angle — The majestic escalator area with the high ceilings

Pannenhuis metro station ceiling — Welcome to the spaceship

Pannenhuis metro station train platform — Light trails by the escalator

Pannenhuis metro station exit with the ceiling lights — The exit from the spaceship

The Pannenhuis metro station has been used as a setting for commercial shooting, music clips, travel influencers, and photographers that admires the cinematic aesthetic potential of every corner of this tiny station.

- Thomas Milton, Alternative Spots

If you liked any of the photography in this story and would like to order a photography print, please contact thomas@alternativespots.com

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