The bastions of the Imperial Crown stand majestically like pyramids dominating the sky. This panoramic black-and-white photograph highlights the immensity of the Valais mountains in the Swiss Alps. This rocky enclosure, which separates the valley of Zermatt from that of Zinal, contains five of Switzerland's most famous summits over 4,000 metres in altitude. Our gaze is drawn to the left by the glittering face of the Weisshorn, whose sharp summit seems to pierce the sky. Our adventure continues at summit on the Matterhorn, enthroned in the center of the picture. Behind it, over 100 km away, Monte Viso echoes its prestige. Dominating the Po plain, it is the highest summit in the Southern Alps. Our traverse then takes us to the tip of the Ober Gabelhorn, then to the Dent d'Hérens. To the right, Grand Paradis and La Grivola rise out of the Italian Alps, sculpting the horizon.

This panorama offers a breathtaking view of the north face of Zinal's most beautiful mountains. Adorned with hanging glaciers and covered in snow, they enjoy the first rays of sunshine. These mountains are only lit up for a few days a year. To take this magnificent photograph, I had to wait for the right conditions. A snow-laden spring, an early summer storm. Clouds giving way to early morning sunshine. The chance of this happening is so remote that I have to be ready. I spent a long time studying the angle of view that would allow me to get that perfect alignment of mountains. And when nature finally chooses to reveal the splendor of the immaculate mountains, I take to the skies in a helicopter to immortalize the scene. A few minutes of wonder before the magic wears off. The snow begins to melt, revealing the rocks. And nature returns the mountains to reality.