Neuschwanstein Castle takes on a completely different character as the sun begins to set. I wanted to capture a more direct view of the castle on this occasion, framing it front-on in a portrait composition that puts the architecture firmly at the centre of the photograph.

As the sun dropped lower, warm evening light began to fall across the castle, with an orange flare cutting diagonally through the frame. Rather than distracting from the scene, the flare became part of the image, adding a strong burst of warmth against the cooler tones of the surrounding landscape.

The portrait composition gives the castle a much stronger presence, while the evening light and flare add something that a more conventional daytime view wouldn't have. It’s a different way of photographing one of Bavaria’s most recognisable landmarks and a good example of how changing the light can completely alter a familiar scene.