Aiguille du Dru, Chamonix Mont Blanc, one of the most impressive rock walls of the Alps

Q1, 2022

Nikon D800, Nikkor 300 mm F2.8D, 1/125 sec, F8, ISO100. To capture the finest detail 10 photos are stitched into one.

The red glowing thousand meter high granite needle of the Aiguille du Dru is spectacular for those who live in les Praz de Chamonix Mont Blanc as well for those who visit Chamonix Mont Blanc once in a while. There is no easy access to the summit. This bomb proof rock solid face of granite symbolizes that mountains are unapproachable, intangible, a mystery full of dangers, certainly not a playground. Yet, we are in Chamonix Mont Blanc, the cradle of climbing. If you walk at Rue du Dr Paccard, the main street of Chamonix Mont Blanc, you feel the vibrant international atmosphere focussed on mountain sports. This is where it happens, where mountains sport are invented, innovated and re-invented. Only a little sparkle is needed, and before you know it, you are infected with a mountain fever as well, and return to mountains regularly. For experienced climbers, apprentice mountain guides and mountains guides, walls like the Aiguille du Dru are a playground. Probably most of us will be satisfied with the saying of an English philosopher, who once mentioned: ”Mountains are the most beautiful from the valley”.
That’s what I did, when making this photo from the valley towards this enormous chunk of rock. I have been waiting many days, months, years, to finally have the ideal circumstances to make this picture. The moment this picture was made was just after a snow storm, it passed by during a deep red setting sun, making the Aiguille du Dru glow.
I made 10 photo’s with a 300mm F2.8 lens, using a stichting technique. Each image is a small part of this huge wall, and during post-processing the images are stitched into one photo, to let you experience the tiniest detail of this impressive wall. In color, this print will stand out best, with the contrasty orange/red opposite to the deep blue sky.

In the shop of Moments in Mountains, you will find more photos of Aiguille du Dru. However, this is the only photo in color due to the contrasty vibrant orange and deep blue colors. These other images are printed in black and white. I have explicitly chosen to print the other images in black and white to let the Aiguille du Dru even more repel you, overwhelm you, impress you, embrace you, and finally close you in your heart, especially when printed big. That is the grandeur of Aiguille du Dru, one of my favorite mountains in the Chamonix Mont Blanc area to photograph.

Using a wide angle lens, for an overview of the scenery of the Aiguille du Dru, with the Aiguille Verte behind it, still in the clouds of a storm passing by.