I've spent countless hours contemplating the Grandes Jorasses. I've spent countless days trying to unravel the mystery of this majestic mountain. This imposing formation that dominates the landscape of the Mont Blanc massif has always captivated me with its imposing character and its almost intimidatingly vertical north face. Exceeding 4000 metres in altitude, this extraordinary face represents a legendary challenge for mountaineers, forming with the Matterhorn and the Eiger a sacred triad in the world of high mountains.

Capturing such a photograph requires patience and luck. The elements have to align perfectly: light, weather, season, time of day... Over the years, I've developed a simple philosophy: quiet obstinacy. I keep coming back, observing, waiting for the right moment. Repeated failures are part of the process. For this photograph, there were many attempts before the ideal conditions finally presented themselves. That morning, after a gusty night, the north face was revealed in the morning light.

In this work, I wanted to highlight the verticality of the north face of the Grandes Jorasses , which attracts climbers from all over the world. The eye is first greeted by the Périades in the foreground, offering a striking perspective and guiding the eye towards the main subject. Then the North Face emerges, masterful, almost frightening in its immoderation. The blanket of snow covering the mountain that day completely transforms the perception of its structure. I observe a fascinating metamorphosis in which the usually austere rock takes on an almost metallic sheen under the first rays. This low-angled light creates an extraordinary visual phenomenon, a fleeting brilliance that lasts only a few minutes.

My choice of black and white for such a subject is not insignificant. This technique frees the image from the distraction of color to exalt the essential: the fundamental structure, the impressive geometry, the primitive strength of the rock. The intensity of the deep shadows establishes a Powerful visual dialogue with the dazzling luminosity of the snow-covered surfaces. In creating this vertical portrait of the Grandes Jorasses, I wanted to bear witness to a reality that transcends our everyday lives, that of heights where human landmarks fade away. For me, the Grandes Jorasses represent the very incarnation of alpine beauty in its purest, most authentic dimension.