This photograph was taken during a one-week road trip across the French Alps with two fellow landscape photographers. Our goal was to capture the fiery tones of autumn, especially the golden larches that set the slopes ablaze at this time of year.
The weather forecast had predicted nothing but blue skies for the whole week, which isn’t ideal for dramatic light. But on this particular morning, a few clouds were expected, and we decided to dedicate that opportunity to the legendary Vallée de la Clarée. It is a stunning location in every season, but autumn brings out its full magic.
We had scouted the area the day before, so I arrived with several compositions in mind. The image was taken mid-morning, just as the sun rose above the surrounding peaks and began to flood the valley with golden light. I often find myself with a composition I like but not the light I hope for—this time, nature was generous. I had come looking for mist and drama, like many photographers, but that trip taught me to work with softer light and to embrace more naturalistic, intimate scenes.
In terms of composition, the river served as a natural leading line through the image. I placed the peak of the Cerces massif along the diagonal, and balanced the frame with the group of larches in the foreground. I’m quite selective with my framing and tried several variations until the elements felt coherent and fluid.
Post-processing was subtle but purposeful. I slightly warmed the white balance in the lower part of the image to enhance the autumn mood—we were slightly past peak foliage, and I wanted to bring out the warmth and softness of the scene. My friends were actually standing near the rock in the bottom left, but I chose to exclude them from the frame to let the raw beauty of the landscape speak for itself.
This image reflects both the challenges and rewards of adapting to nature’s conditions. It also captures what I strive for in my work: a quiet sense of awe and timelessness in the alpine landscape.
