Dents du Midi during the storm

Flamboyant portrait of Dents du Midi during the storm. This magnificent black-and-white photograph highlights the north face of this massif in the Valais Alps, as seen from the Val d'Illiez and the Portes du Soleil ski area. The mountain, made up of 7 summits peaks over 3,000 metres high, owes its name to the shadow it casts over the valley at midday, when the sun is shining on it. Just as the Dent de Bonavau was once called the Dent d'Une Heure and the Dent de Valère the Dent de Onze Heures. In this way, Dents du Midi occupies the center of an incredible natural clock made up of the surrounding peaks.

I've always been inspired by the striking verticality of this rock wall and the power of its sharp points. To convey its grandeur and singularity, I waited for the elements to enter into a symbiotic relationship. Because not all storms plaster summits in this way. Nature has its mysteries. And to have the chance to be present when she reveals her beauty, I listen to her. At the foot of the mountain when the storm roars, hoping for magic when the sky clears. Under the fury of the winds, my soul vibrates to the sound of the mountain. And the many disappointments that come from waiting give even more flavour to my rare victories.

In this photograph, Dents du Midi urges the clouds to break. In the afternoon light, they appear powerful and indomitable, like a wall blowing flames of ice. In the background, the Weisshorn contemplates them. See how its monumental ridge cuts through the sky, armed in the middle with its Grand Gendarme. From its summit, I remember admiring the Dents du Midi. Visible from afar, they are a superb and soothing landmark as you gaze across the vastness of the Alps.