Portrait of the Fingers of Salanfe in their most sublime winter finery. The rocky peaks of the Dents du Midi, plastered by a recent snowstorm, rise skyward like a natural Gothic cathedral. These vertical formations, once known as the "Doigt de Champéry" and renamed the "Doigt de Salanfe" in the 19th century, offer us a fabulous journey.

Observe the diffused light that softens the contours while revealing every detail of this mineral architecture. The snow, deposited by the winter storm, has clung to the smallest asperities of the rock. It elegantly highlights the vertical striations that characterize these dolomitic pillars. I created this work when the clouds parted sufficiently to allow the light to caress these stone giants, but without flooding them with too much harsh light that would have obliterated the subtle shades of grey.

The Salanfe Fingers appear here in their most sculptural dimension. These needles, shaped by millions of years of erosion, seem to defy weightlessness. The vertical lines that criss-cross the face create a visual, almost musical rhythm that gives this portrait its dynamic quality. The black-and-white composition enhances the contrasts between the shadowy areas and the bright surfaces where the fresh snow reflects the light. This alternation creates a rich visual score, revealing the topographical complexity of these alpine formations. Each groove bears witness to the colossal forces that folded and lifted these sedimentary rocks to create the majestic sentinels that today dominate the Salanfe cirque.

In this crystalline vision of Les Doigts de Salanfe, I perceive all the poetry of high places. Time stands still in this unchanging yet vibrant natural architecture. Each winter draws a new face on this rock, each storm leaves its ephemeral imprint.