Photo workshop: Monochrome mountain landscapes

For alpine black-and-white photography, we visit regions with rocky and glaciated mountains, such as those found primarily in Valais, the Bernese Oberland, and the Upper Engadine. During the three-day photography workshop, you will learn:

• Selecting subjects and subjects that promise impressive results as monochrome photographs
• Understanding the right environmental conditions, such as light and shadow, for strong contrasts
• Using your camera with the ideal settings so you can get the most out of your black-and-white photography
• Finding a successful image composition
• Photographing different angles and image sections with the most suitable lens
• Develop your monochrome shots in a targeted way during photo editing
• Safety and behavior in the alpine environment.

Schedule of the photo workshop

On the first day, the focus is primarily on the ascent to our destination region. We deliberately take our time so that we have enough energy despite our heavy backpacks and can acclimatize optimally. Nevertheless, the day is not spent idly: during breaks, we incorporate short theory sessions and use the opportunities for practical exercises to learn and deepen our photographic know-how.

Whenever possible, we choose an ascent route that already offers our first exciting subjects for monochrome mountain photography. Once at the hut, we can leave part of our luggage there and spend the following days with lighter gear. On the programme are excursions to impressive photo spots with spectacular views of the high alpine world, the perfect setting for expressive black and white shots. For this, we sometimes set off very early or catch the special evening atmosphere, when light and shadow draw the strongest contrasts.

Evenings at the hut are all about photo editing. In black and white photography in particular, much of an image’s character only emerges on the computer. Working with your own laptop and the shots of the day, you’ll learn how to control tones, contrast and light in a targeted way. A cup of hut tea comes with it, of course.

CHF 1090 per person in the small group, from two people.

The price includes the three-day workshop, guiding to the photo spots, the evening editing sessions and the hut reservation. You pay for accommodation and half board directly at the hut, and SAC members get the reduced rate in SAC huts.

We choose the region together, depending on the weather and the subjects you’re after. Travelling solo? Send me your preferred dates and I’ll team you up with others. The workshop goes ahead as soon as two people are in for the same date.

Rather have it all to yourself? The private workshop is a flat CHF 2290 for one or two people.

We choose the region together, based on the weather, conditions and the subjects you’re after. Monochrome mountain photography calls for rocky, glaciated peaks and clear contrasts, typically found in the southern valleys of Valais (Saas or Matter Valley, Val d’Anniviers, Val d’Hérens), the Bernese Oberland or the Engadin. Shortly before the workshop, we check the forecast together and decide where the light looks most promising.

We’ll set the meeting point and time as soon as the location is fixed.

We spend two nights in the dormitory of a spectacularly located high alpine mountain hut, often an SAC hut. Simple and functional, but you wake up where others only arrive after a three-hour climb. I take care of the reservation, and you pay for accommodation and half board directly at the hut. In SAC huts, members benefit from a reduced rate.

At the hut, a multi-course dinner awaits you in the evening, followed by a breakfast that easily lasts until the first photo spot. Both are part of the half board, which you pay directly at the hut. You can order a packed lunch there for the second and third day; anything else for the trail, please bring along yourself.

Camera equipment

• SLR, mirrorless or bridge camera you’re comfortable using in manual mode
• Wide-angle lens, standard lens and telephoto lens
• Tripod
• Laptop or tablet with photo editing software (e.g. Lightroom or Capture One), fully charged, as power sockets are scarce in huts
• Optionally a power bank
• Optional polarizing filter and/or ND filter set

Clothes and shoes

• Functional clothing for hiking
• Thermal jacket or down jacket
• Rain jacket (and rain pants, depending on the overall weather conditions)
• Hiking boots with good tread
• Backpack with space for your personal gear and camera
• hiking poles

Please keep in mind that even in summer, weather conditions in the mountains can change quickly. You should therefore be equally prepared for sun and clouds, storms and rain.

Food on the go

• Dinner and breakfast at the hut (half board, paid on site)
• Packed lunch for the second and third day available at the hut
• You are responsible for any other food

Misc

• Sun glasses
• Sunscreen
• Headlamp with spare batteries/battery charger
• Cash (usually preferred at huts)
• Money for accommodation and half board at the hut (cash is often the safest bet in huts)

Accomodation

• Sleeping bag
• Dry change of clothes for the hut
• Earplugs, if necessary
• Toiletries

You will receive a detailed packing list in good time before the course begins.

• Two nights with half board at the mountain hut (paid on site)
• Your own arrival and departure
• Any costs for cable cars
• Individual drinks and meals during the day
• Personal expenses
• Cancellation insurance

Insurance is the responsibility of the participants (accident, health, and liability insurance). We recommend REGA membership and cancellation insurance.