A mural at the top of a long, dark stairway in Brussels declares, “The Future Is Europe.” A lone figure seems to challenge that statement by walking away from it, while the heavy shadows, brooding sky, and steep steps evoke a sense of uncertainty and difficulty. The photograph seems to suggest viewers that Europe’s future, though full of promise, may be a path marked by challenge and endurance. (Rue de la Loi, Brussels, Belgium, June 2024)

• Discover my photographs about the European Union in Brussels.