Winter mountain photography: Alpine Winter paradise

By Johan Peijnenburg

I am so looking forward to the arrival of snow in the Swiss Alps! Winter mountain photography is one of my favourite types of photography. A Swiss alpine region I like a lot for winter mountain photography is the Diablerets mountain region. The Diablerets massif lies between the cantons of Valais and Vaud, in the western French-speaking part of Switzerland. The mountains in this region are incredible. They have so much character. It is hard to stop shooting, especially in Winter! It’s one of those places that makes my heart beat faster, and it just puts a smile on my face that usually won’t fade for days! Sort of my personal paradise … only half an hour from my home 🙂

Alpine winter paradise

The Diablerets alpine region in Switzerland in winter, featuring the Schluchhorn

The photograph in this post is one that I shot in February. When I captured it, I already knew I would process it in black & white and have now finally found the time to do it. The mountain in the photograph is the Schluchhorn, which has an altitude of 2,579 metres (8,461 ft). I hope you like it!

Cheers, Johan 🙂

116 thoughts on “Winter mountain photography: Alpine Winter paradise”

  5. David Burns says:

    Hello Johan,

    The image of Diablerets Massif in Winter is fantastic,I feel I can almost walk into it.I’m very excited to see your photography even more now as an opportunity has just come for me to visit Switzerland in the late spring,the alps are one of my favourite places.
    Thank you so much for taking the time to share your GPP and Photoshelter integration and experiences,it has motivated me and I am starting to put a site together now,I look forward to seeing any of your new work.
    All the best from Nova Scotia,Canada.

    Reply
    • Johan Peijnenburg says:

      Thanks for the compliments David and glad to see you have signed up for Bluehost 🙂 You won’t regret it.
      Do not hesitate to ask questions when working o your new site. Looking forward to seeing what you make of it 🙂

      Reply
  7. Charles Lupica says:

    simply stunning. I need to pay more attention when we go shooting together. Perhaps a landscape workshop would help, seriously. At the very least, it would be interesting to sit down and have a chat about your views on taking good landscape images.
    Do you have anything like that on your blog ?

    Reply
    • Johan Peijnenburg says:

      thanks fo the compliment! Maybe I will forbid you to take pano’s next time … see first and then shoot 😉 Just kidding of course. I would me more then happy to give you tips. I don’t have something relevant on that on my blog, but there are zillions of resources on the internet that can help out. A workshop could be interesting too.

      Reply
      • Charles Lupica says:

        too much chaff on the internet. I get lost in searching long before I find anything useful. I like to rely on people I have some knowledge of rather than a broad search.
        Johan. are you using Silver EFX from Nik Software for your conversions ?

        Reply
        • Johan Peijnenburg says:

          Yes, I prep the images in Lightroom and then use Color Efex for the conversion Charles …. I just (finally) purchased PhotoShop by the way … now need to find time to install and learn how to use it.

          Reply
  8. shane holsclaw says:

    such a beauty! love snow covered trees. I really love those trees on the left! like they’re walking down the mountain. : )

    Reply
    • Johan Peijnenburg says:

      Thanks Shane. I personally prefer this one over the one you commented on earlier. Has a bit more depth and interest 🙂

      Reply
      • shane holsclaw says:

        this one does have more of a feel like you’re right in the photo. The wider shot feels more like you’re looking from a window. So I see what you’re saying. both are grand!

        Reply
          • shane holsclaw says:

            hehehehehe – too funny+Johan. I think we all see this don’t we? Some of my images that I really love and post don’t get much feedback. Others that I love (just not as strongly)…get more feedback.

  13. Jeff Clow says:

    Johan, I’ve been traveling so have been offline for a week….just got back and saw this great portfolio. You do superb work with a lens.

    Reply
  20. Robert Skreiner says:

    Great photo! Johan There is more and more Black & White – Photography presented by Switzerland in this time 😉

    Reply
  23. Johan Peijnenburg says:

    Thanks a lot Nora and Robert:-) Thanks for leaving a comment!
    Cho: dank je wel. Geschoten net na verse sneeuw en dan is de lucht zo schoon hier. Ideale omstandigheden om op pad te gaan en dit soort plaatjes te schieten 🙂

    Reply
    • Johan Peijnenburg says:

      Thanks Neil! That was what I was thinking a few months ago. I have finally made the time to dive into B&W and am loving it!

      Reply
      • Joel Tjintjelaar says:

        Hey Johan. I have new rules: it doesn’t have to be an LE shot anymore. As long as it is B&W. So if you tag it, I will include it:)

        Reply
        • Johan Peijnenburg says:

          Thanks Joel! I just tagged it …. and also tagged the one of two posts ago 🙂
          This B&W stuff is addictive by the way. Still trying to find a style (not sure if I have to), but I am amazed with what B&W can do !

          Reply
  34. Charles Lupica says:

    I’m not sure I could keep up with the two of you but it does look like a beautiful place and I’d love to go. Just tell me when and where and I’ll do my best to be there. 🙂

    Reply
    • Johan Peijnenburg says:

      the idea would be to go up the mountain. Think there are a few spots up there which would be cool for panoramic work … with the Mont Blanc included in the background as a bonus 🙂

      Reply
    • Cameron Siguenza says:

      Very well said 🙂 That is why I have always loved skiing, mountaineering, climbing, hiking…. nothing like going to the top of a mountain or just gazing up at them. I was born in the mountains of BC, and even though I am in California, and the nearest mountains are 3+ hours away, I still have my many happy memories.

      Reply
  53. Cameron Siguenza says:

    Wow – that makes my heart beat faster here too – really breathtaking – I love the mountains. Thanks for sharing Johan

    Reply
    • Johan Peijnenburg says:

      Merci Laurent … I get goose bumps from Alps in Winter … and that’s not the effect of the cold 🙂 Thanks for the feedback !

      Reply

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