Locations in Switzerland

I put this question under "Larger Formats (8x10 & up)" only because I did not see a category for anything on "Tips On Location Shooting". And I will be shooting with my 8x10 Deardorff.

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Anyway, I am going to Switzerland for two weeks of shooting in the Alps with the above-mentioned camera. I am doing extensive web research on the country and I have ordered several travel books that claim they can direct a traveler "off the beaten path".

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My request is this: If you have traveled in Switzerland and gone off the tourist paths, I would appreciate very much any suggestions you wish to give on getting out into the Alps to where the grand vistas are and where the people are not.

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Thanks.

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Jason Kefover

I was in Switzerland in 1993 for business in the town of Bad Ragaz.

It's near the Austrian & Italian borders, and where the author of

Heidi lived.

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This area, and the area towards Italy are beautiful, but also rustic

in some areas. This will get you out of the crowds. I was there in

October, so the ski season hadn't started so the area was relatively

free of people. The roads will get you right in the midst of the

mountains.

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It is a bit hard to get away from people in Switzerland because

they've built right into the mountain areas, but this area will get

you some of what you're seeking.

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Enjoy your trip.

If you want to see the Alps you have to visit the Kantons (states) of

Graub|nden, Uri, Wallis or Bern. Graub|nden is considered one of the

most beautiful places in the Alps and it's the biggest Swiss Kanton.

Gorgeous vistas can be found in the Bern Alps but they're quite

crowded and off the beaten path in Bern means climbing. Uri is not so

crowded but it's steep and narrow and doesn't have that many

viewpoints.

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I would recommend Wallis or Graub|nden. Since I live and shoot in

Graub|nden I know it very well, even from off the beaten path. If

you're interested in special advices on Graub|nden write me directly.

Everybody goes to the Alps precisely to see the grand vistas, so there

is no 'off the beaten path' in any real sense. If you want standard

views like the classic head-on shot of the Hvrnligrat on the

Matterhorn the only way to avoid people is to put the camera on your

back and do some serious hiking and mountaineering. If you give an

indication of your experience as a climber/hiker I can recommend some

nice spots in the Zermatt and Grindlewald areas.

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If you don't mind the fact that Switzerland afficionado's will know

the truth, a surprisingly little amount of effort will have most of

your fellow tourists hailing you as a fabulously inventive

photographer. The spectacular Saas Fee side of the Monte Rosa is

well-known amongst hikers, and easy to get to, but almost all

published photographs are taken from the funicular railway on the

Zermatt side. Zillions of people take pictures of the Eiger from

Kleine Scheidegg, but almost none head up to Grosse Scheidegg for the

very different view you get from there.

If you are in the Eiger/Interlaken area, I would suggest hiking out

of Lauterbrunen for valley shots, and out of Wengen rather than

Grindlewald to avoid crowds... no tour busses in Wengen. Probably the

most overlooked area is the Apenzel region in NE Switzerland. The

Churfirsten range, valleys and waterfalls, although not in the Alps,

are very photogenic.

Jason...

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The suggestions above are all excellent, and you will be rewarded

with wonderful images. I concurr that will be dificult to photograph

scenes where no man (or milk/cheese), cows or buildings are in

existence - but not impossible. There are opportunities if you take

the time and explore. Graubunden is your best bet, and is also the

home of the Swiss National Park. Also don't ignore some of the

Castles and ruins... they help make a striking combination and makes

your photos look like Europe. One areas to do this in is Tarasp which

is in the Canton of Graubunden.

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When I was in Europe in 1998 (shooting medium format) I asked about

the availability of 4x5 film at one of the larger photo stores in

Zurich (near Bahnhof Strasse - Photo Baren), and was told that sheet

film is typically ordered by the individual photographer directly

from the manufacturer. I cannot validate the truth about this, except

I entered many stores to buy film and never saw sheet film available

(*lots of 35mm and 120)... let alone 8x10. I would suggest you

investigate its availability in Switzerland... you may wind up having

to bring a sufficient number of boxes over etc...

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Good Shooting!!!

Steve

Jason,

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Steve is correct in terms of the availability of LF film. The only

place I could find to buy 4x5 when I lived in Geneva was a pro

finishing lab that also happened to sell film. So, bring plenty

along!

Best of luck...