Missklik
FollowIn the French Alpes . Massif du Mont Blanc . Aerial viaw
In the French Alpes . Massif du Mont Blanc . Aerial viaw
Read less
Read less
Views
4099
Likes
Awards
People's Choice in Sweeping Landscapes Photo Contest
Member Selection Award
Contest Finalist in Sweeping Landscapes Photo Contest
Featured
Contest Finalist in Cliffs Photo Contest
Peer Award
Superb Composition
Absolute Masterpiece
Top Choice
Magnificent Capture
All Star
Outstanding Creativity
Superior Skill
Genius
Virtuoso
Top Ranks
Categories
1Ernesto
January 06, 2016
This is powerful, cold and yet holds such arresting beauty. Your talent is truly showing and I confess total photo envy!
Missklik
February 12, 2016
Thank you . Yes it's a really special place . On this side we can only take a picture with an airplane :-))
karengaither
September 04, 2016
how in the world did they get supplies up there to build with? Or furniture~
Missklik
September 04, 2016
Yes , in France we have so many places at the top of mountains . Some were built more than 1000 years ago . I don't know how !! Now we have helicoptere , but 1000 years ago ..... :-)
KayBrewer
December 10, 2016
Congratulations! People's Choice in the Sweeping Landscapes contest! Fabulous shot!
MarilynDavies
August 24, 2020
Wow! Brilliant - the stuff of dreams for a Queenslander (Australian) who never sees this sort of scenery or snow! Makes me want to get back on a plane again in your winter.
Same photographer See allBehind The Lens
Discover more photos See all
Behind The Lens
Location
This photo was taken in the Mont Blanc massif in the Alps side France in Europe. In order to have a view on this side of l ' Aiguille du Midi we made a flight in a ultra light aircraft.This face is not visible without taking height. It is necessary to climb to about 13 000 ft to have this show. The flight was scheduled first on Mont Blanc with then a descent along the glaciers.It was in autmn because it's to dangerous in winterTime
For this type of flight in the mountains it was necessary to go early in the morning in order to avoid turbulence. So we left just after the Sunrise, but we have when even suffers of many turbulence that complicate a lot shooting. On the other hand the aircraft is equipped with a smoke canopy Plexiglas and it was necessary to perform a specific setting for the light and the white balance.Lighting
At this altitude the light can be more violent, but the problem of smoke Plexiglas bubble compensates rather well the problems of overexposure. The hardest thing is to find good angles in order to not be directly exposed to the rays of the Sun, which always causes because of the bubble reflections which are then unmanageable.We did several laps around the Aiguille du Midi to find the best angle. The biggest problem was not the light, but the turbulences that cause tremors and makes shooting very complicated.Equipment
At this time I still not have my Canon 5D MarkII , I was using a Nikon D300 . F/8 iso250 80mm 1/250s . The space is reduced in the cockpit and so it is necessary to perform all the shots by show of hands. Impossible to block the device and so obviously cannot use a tripod;Inspiration
It's been a long time that I wanted to photograph the Mont Blanc, but I didn't want to do a classic shooting, ground or another mountain. The ultra light aircraft was the best way without helicopter , and I have chance than my husbant is a pilot. We have made several attempts, but the weather was not favorable. He had to respect safety rules and have the least amount turbulences, we have put the project several times before finally going to do this shoot.It's a photo or you feel free as a bird because you can see what the human eye does not see every day .Feeling to be alone in the world and make something unique that we can then share with the photo.Editing
A bit of post processing to straighten and crop the image and one editing on white balance because because of the color of plexiglas .In my camera bag
Most of time I take only my camera, 2 batteries and a light bag . A heavy bag is always a problem if you have to walk a lot .I take also my compact flash in spare. I only carried a tripod if necessary, and another camera lens if I think I need it .I also have a wide angle , but I do not use it for the scenery, I think that too flattened image except of course in some cases. I still also have a notebook and a pen to take notes .I usually let my battery charger in the hotel , my extra batteries enough for the day. The goal , always limit the weight because of my back problem , if I walk too long with too heavy material it spoils my pleasure to photo .I need to feel free and comfortable to make good pictures. I still also have a small compact in spare in case of failure .Feedback
t is difficult to give advice on such a cliché, it's really an opportunity for this flight. However be very careful about exposure, light being strong with the white of the snow we may have burned and overexposed areas.