Celestial Symphony

This is one of my favorite works. A panoramic black-and-white photograph of the three most famous mountains on bernese alps : Mönch, Eiger and Jungfrau. The latter, the highest, rises 4158 meters above the Grindelwald region in Switzerland. Opposite us, the famous Mittellegi ridge stands out between light and shadow. Leading to summit of the Eiger, it is one of the most beautiful routes to climb in the Alps.

It's winter, at sunrise. The wind assaults the freshly snow-covered summits . The mountain smokes, gradually releasing the last traces of condensation still clinging to summits.

I created this spectacular work by helicopter, as there was nowhere on earth that offered such a viewpoint. I spent a long time studying the specifics of bernese alps on the ground, on maps and on 3D software. Until I finally spotted the precise spot that would allow me to transmit the most grandiose image possible of these exceptional summits . This is one of the privileges of the modern artist: to be able to use technology to best prepare the blossoming of his works. But the greatest difficulty I face is the unpredictability of the weather. So the challenge was to fly through the storm and position myself in the right place when the magic would happen.

In this almost unreal picture, the mist reveals the splendour of the Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau in a mystical and spellbinding way. I sought a balance of forces and forms. Between the snow-covered summits that capture the light and the walls that huddle in the shadows. This balance captivates and overwhelms me. The beauty of these high summits in the Alps is also enhanced by the graphic composition, giving the work a universal appeal. Are we admiring the realm of high mountains, or are we sailing on the waves of a raging sea punctuated by sheer rocks? In this portrait, the purity and grandeur of nature bursts forth before our eyes.

Finally, this magnificent panorama draws its strength from the softness of its contrasts. Over the years, I've evolved my art and the way I wanted to convey the power of the high mountains in my photographs. It's easy enough to give an impressive dimension to summits by emphasizing contrasts. On the other hand, conveying the power of the mountains through the softness of monochrome tones is a much more complex art. It took me about ten years before I was able to immortalize the giants of theOberland Bernese mountains with this sensitivity.