Belledonne | Photographing the Sept Laux Lakes: Water, Slabs and Ridges

Climbing from Le Pleynet: tell the transition

The first part of the ascent crosses wooded areas before reaching more open terrain. In overcast weather, forest and waterfalls can produce more interesting images than in harsh light. When the ridges appear, the change of scale becomes a subject in itself.

With a camera bag, theoretical walking times should not be treated as the duration of a photo project. Stops, lens changes, searching for a composition and waiting for light quickly extend the outing.

Photograph several lakes without repeating the same image

Around the plateau, several bodies of water — including Carré, Motte and Cottepens depending on the route — offer different shorelines and orientations. Wind can make one lake poor for reflections but excellent for texture. Another, more sheltered lake may retain a calmer surface.

To avoid repetition, alternate scales: a wider view to place the ensemble; a tight frame on a shoreline; a deliberately included hydroelectric structure; a partial reflection; a ridge isolated with a telephoto lens. The dams are part of the history and landscape of the plateau. Integrating them intentionally can add more meaning than systematically trying to hide them.

The refuge: gain photographic time rather than distance

An overnight stay at the refuge mainly allows you to slow down. In the evening, ridges may still catch the light when the lakes are already in shadow. In the morning, the surface of the water can be calmer. Between the two, blue hour or a starry sky can be photographed discreetly, without lighting the buildings or disturbing other users.

The refuge remains a place where people live and work. A light in a window or a distant silhouette is often enough to show scale; there is no need to photograph people at close range.

Col de la Vache: a different category of project

Col de la Vache marks a very mineral transition and opens views towards Oisans and the Grandes Rousses. It must not be presented as a casual extension of a circuit around the lakes. Depending on the season, the condition of the boulders, snow, moisture or fog can significantly change the level of commitment.

For a photograph of passage, cairns, the line of the trail and a silhouette can show movement between the two sides. Keep enough margin to turn back, however: a foggy atmosphere is not a reason to continue towards a pass when orientation becomes uncertain.

Cime de la Jasse: a strong secondary subject

Cime de la Jasse dominates the 7 Laux side and has a very readable silhouette, particularly from the Prapoutel sector and nearby ridges. It can become the main subject of an individual image without summarizing the whole Sept Laux area on its own.

In winter, snow simplifies its lines. From an authorized area, a telephoto lens can isolate the ridge and changes in light. This approach is often more coherent than an improvised off-piste outing solely to obtain a different angle.

Wind, storms and fog

The plateau is exposed. Wind affects reflections, tripod stability and wind chill. Storms quickly reduce escape options in large open areas. Fog can produce very strong images around a lake or the refuge, but it must never become a reason to continue towards a committed passage.

A two-day series

A simple approach is to photograph the ascent as a progression, choose one or two lakes rather than all of them, work with the refuge and ridges at the end of the day, then return to reflections and details the next morning. This method creates a more varied series and leaves more safety margin.

Guarding periods, access, livestock and local rules must be checked before setting out. Where dogs are allowed, seasonal instructions and the presence of livestock must be respected.