about the work

I can't help but be moved when I admire this panoramic photograph of the imperial crown from Zinal. On the same picture, it gathers the most beautiful mountains of the Swiss Alps. These summits at more than 4000 meters form a wall around the val d’Anniviers. In the center of the picture, the famous The Matterhorn emerges from the valley of Zermatt, proudly occupying its place within the royal circle.

These high mountains are for me the most beautiful in the world. And this magnificent panorama enters without hesitation in the top 5 of my favorite photographs. I made this aerial view by helicopter because this angle of view does not exist from the ground. I searched for a long time for this perfect location that allows me to gather in one shot so many legendary peaks. I was incredibly lucky to be there when the storm was moving away, leaving the freshly snowed mountains to enjoy the first rays of the sun. The purity of the snow gives summits a Himalayan look. I managed to capture this precious moment when nature is king, making the mountain inaccessible to most people. With such cold and snowy conditions, only the best mountaineers in the world can claim to measure themselves against its walls.

The most remarkable part of this work is the Blanc de Moming ridge, which leads from the Zinalrothorn to Besso, summit mythical Zinal. Long and imposing, it is not visible anywhere from the ground. It is of course possible to see it when you reach the high summits . But the reality of the mountaineer is quite different. And I speak with knowledge. When one undertakes such an ascent, one must remain concentrated on one's objective. You have to watch your every move to make sure you don't fall. The only breaks you allow yourself are to refuel. When you finally reach the desired summit, it is already time to come back down because half of the way is still to be covered.

This grandiose panorama is the tribute of the professional mountain photographer that I am to all the mountaineers. You who keep in memory the intensity of the emotions felt in high mountain but could not take the time to admire these sumptuous landscapes, here they are. And for those of you who dream of climbing the peaks of this imperial crown, their beauty will certainly inspire you. Finally, for those of you who live in a chalet at val d’Anniviers, this work will allow you to admire the entire imperial crown every day, invisible from your windows. All the magic of the Valaisan Alps revealed here.