A Church in Switzerland
Photograph of St Peter’s church at Chateau d’ Oex….
It was whilst photographing the 2010 Parmigiani Balloon Festival at Chateau d’ Oex in Switzerland last month that I noticed this charming church sat on the hill top welcoming the early visitors to come and have a look around. St Peter’s Church belongs to the Church of England’s European Diocese and is well worth the walk up the hill to have a look at. You also have the added bonus of a panoramic view of the village which is lovely at any time of the year.
I saw it peeking out from over an embankment and was immediately struck by how simple and beautiful it looked. I stood and waited for one of the balloons to make its way alongside and photographed it using a wide angle lens so as to capture it as part of an overall scene rather than as a stand alone object. Switzerland is indeed a photographers dream with picture postcard scenery in seemingly constant reach.
I have some four hundred photographs to work through from the opening day and shall post more over the next week, I wanted to capture different moments from the festival rather than just the obligatory balloon in the sky even if it is a stunning sight.
The Church at Chateau d’ Oex
Miles,
I’m trying to resist the urge to say ‘how lovely’ or ‘fabulous piccy’ etc., so I’ll concentrate on the fairytale quality of this shot…. the way the sky sweeps up, up and away… the balloon in the distance….the careful composition and silhouetted tree… the icy lavender colours, all go to make an extraordinary picture.
Not bad
Cid
February 4, 2010 @ 10:18 pm
Cid,
Thanks, it is a lovely setting isn’t it?
I’ll keep practising…
Miles
February 4, 2010 @ 11:34 pm
Superb !
February 5, 2010 @ 8:40 am
Miles,
. Absolutely cracking photo. I echo Cid’s sentiments.
This would make a great book cover and setting of a scene for your book
Anne
February 5, 2010 @ 9:21 am
Rod/Anne,
Thanks….couldn’t resist really
Miles
February 5, 2010 @ 9:00 pm
Hi Miles:
Nice lens choice too - to give that slightly ‘better than life’ quality to it. And three cheers if you colored the sky and snow . . . good subtle use of color - Elliot Porterish. The balloon above the church is either an ideal or a fantasy depending on which side of the philosophical fence one comes down on.
Nice!
L
P.S. Waiting for the 2+ feet of snow to stop falling here.
February 6, 2010 @ 5:34 pm
Hi Laura,
I’ve been thinking about you all over there, we’ve got snow forecast again but nothing like what you have. I’ll not moan about it in future 
Thanks
Good luck in it!
Miles
February 7, 2010 @ 9:05 am