I was extremely fortunate to spend a few days in the French Alpes as part of a work trip. We were shooting a TV commercial for a car brand which involved filming on these mountainous roads just before Christmas. Arriving in glorious early winter, but graced with the most beautiful sunlight, I was able to see how a mountainside transformed across the day, as the sun path travelled. A valley with no definition or character would suddenly spring to life, with contours and drama as soon as the sun hit a certain point. For me it was one of the most valuable photographic lessons, proving the beauty of a landscape is made, or broken by the lighting effects.
The weather dramatically turned, transforming the roads and surrounding valleys into a windter wonderland. Not at all great for the continuity of our film shoot, meaning earlier day's work had to be reshot!. But another amazing experience for me to see not only how the sunlight changed this landscape, but the before and after effects of the snowfall.
This filming was nearly a decade ago, before the use of drones, Helicopter carrying analogue film tailed the car to get the most beautiful cinematic footage, but not without danger. The helicopter pilot had to skilfully navigate telecom pylons and wires to get close to the hero vehicle, at one point nearly losing control of the chopper.
Dressed in numerous layers and kitted out for spending the from dawn to dusk standing at the side of the road trying desperately to stay warm.
