Col des Aravis is very nice and easily accessible area close to the mountain town called La Clusaz in France (my favorite skiing resort). It is known for its countless outdoor possibilities from hiking to ski touring. To me it also provides interesting but challenging opportunity to pursue my photography. It is relatively small place with two dominate mountains on both side of the pass. When you arrive from La Clusaz, there is mountain L’Etale on your right hand side. In my opinion, one of the most beautiful mountains in the chain of Aravis.
Title: Col des Aravis, Camera: Mamiya RB 67 Pro SD, Lens: Sekor 50 mm, Film: Kodak T-Max 100, Exposure: 180", f 16, La Clusaz, France, 2017
I have been exploring this part on many occasions and all the time I was facing the same challenge. How to create something new and interesting? The weather conditions play critical role in the appearance and mood of final image, but I am always trying to find new view, new composition, new stones, new something.
To be locked on small place, it is quite good exercise how to improve creativity, and I am very surprised that I still have many images on my mind, which I have not been able to create yet. I have been photographing this place only in winter time, but this year I would also like to venture there during summer and fall to see if something new pops up.
I can only recommend this exercise to all of you! Go and find some small area near where you live and go there when you have time and mood for photography. Discover and rediscover this place in different weather conditions, with different cameras, lenses, films etc. You will be surprised how creative you will be in the place you know inside out.
Have fun and let me know, how you progress and if you send me your images I will publish them here on our blog.
Here is the location on Google Maps