Photographer Manuel Alvarez Diestro takes an alternative look at the bridges of Seoul

“One of the most iconic locations in Seoul is the river Han,” says photographer Manuel Alvarez Diestro. “While riding my bike along the river I could not resist the idea of doing a project about the many bridges that connect north and south Seoul.” Not wanting to depict the traditional span of the bridges, Manuel chose to focus on the underneath, and capture the weight of the feats of engineering.

“I was fascinated with the monumentality and massivness of the supporting structures, and the receding perspective that they generate,” he explains. “Each bridge has its distinctive design qualities which create different vistas.”

While taking the pictures, Manuel was forced to consider the bridges in a new light – beyond their functionality. “The grandiosity of the supporting structures in the river, and the spaces they create generates a mysterious quality that inspired me,” he says. “We no longer see its main function, connecting people across the metropolis.”