The Alps through my lens: valley, lake and mountain

The Alps through my lens: valley, lake and mountain

The Alps reveal themselves through three essential spatial typologies, each of which tells a unique story. The valley embodies the heart of human settlement – vibrant and colorful cities, peaceful villages and the pulse of Alpine life. The lake represents nature in its purest form: a tranquil mirror of the sky and the source of life. The mountain is both a challenge and a refuge – its paths invite hikers, its peaks guard the untouched wilderness. Together, these landscapes and typologies shape the alpine regions.

1. Ivrea, Piedmont, Italy – The Valley: Settlement and Slow Living This image captures the heart of alpine settlement: Ivrea, a town where time seems to slow. The narrow streets, the quiet squares, and the warm glow of the buildings embody the rhythm of small-town life. Here, the valley is not just a geographical space, but a living organism of community, history, and the art of taking life at a gentle pace.

2. Fründenschnur Trail, Canton of Bern, Switzerland – The Lake: Nature’s Mirror High above the valley, where the air is thinner and the silence is broken only by the wind, the alpine lake and ibexes create a scene of untouched beauty. Taken during a hike toward Fründenhütte, this image blends the ruggedness of the mountains with the serenity of water. The lake acts as a mirror for the sky.

3. Near Seealpsee, Canton of Appenzell Innerrhoden, Switzerland – The Mountain: Paths and Peaks With the Säntis peak looming in the background and hikers dotting the trail, this image feels like a painting come to life. The alpine hut, the winding paths, and the summit symbolize the dual nature of the mountains: a playground for adventurers and a sanctuary for the wild.

~ Martin Frey