This photo is part of a collection of high-resolution images shot to celebrate the 150th anniversary of the first ascent of the Matterhorn. The project began in 2015 as a tribute to the Matterhorn, affectionately referred to as "sua maestà" (his majesty) by many.
The Matterhorn is renowned for its iconic pyramid shape, set in a landscape of exceptional beauty in every season and lighting condition. Its beauty is most pronounced at the end of summer when the green alpine meadows meet the lightly snow-covered peaks.
In the cold, pungent air, fast-moving clouds create almost tangible architectural formations in the vast sky, at times obscuring his majesty. I find myself perched on an uncomfortable vantage point consisting of precarious rocks. Before me, the south face of the Matterhorn converges with the Lion ridge and the "Grandes Murailles."
I wait patiently for the right moment, hoping for perfect alignment of light, wind, and clouds. My aim is to convey a unique perspective in the world of photography. When the golden light is just right, it imbues the dark rock with vibrancy, resonating with the atmosphere. For a brief few minutes, the wind subsides, and the clouds appear to hang in the sky, as though anticipating my shots.
This is the magic I've captured: a panoramic image composed of sixty shots taken over four minutes. It's a singular moment, lived intensely and unrepeatable.
The images were captured using a Nikon D810 camera paired with a Nikon 300mm f/4 lens. They were then merged using Autopano Giga and post-processed using Adobe Photoshop, employing very sophisticated techniques due to the large image size, totaling 1.37 gigapixels.