gruyeres

Photographer's Note

This series of photographs is offering a short journey around Switzerland, a landlocked country geographically divided between the Alps, the Swiss Plateau and the Jura, bordering with France, Germany, Austria, Liechtenstein and Italy.
Switzerland (the Swiss Confederation) consists of following 20 cantons (states) and 6 half-cantons: Aargau, Appenzell Ausserhoden*, Appenzell Innerhoden*, Basel Landschaft*, Basel Stadt*, Bern, Fribourg, Geneva, Glarus, Graubünden, Jura, Lucerne, Neuchatel, Nidwalden*, Obwalden*, Schaffhausen, Schwyz, Solothurn, St. Gallen, Thurgau, Ticino, Uri, Valais, Vaud, Zug and Zurich (*=half-canton).
From each canton I’ll post 2 photos and from each half-canton 1 photo, total 46 photographs.

Fribourg

The canton of Fribourg is located in the western part of Switzerland. It is bounded to the west by the Lake of Neuchâtel.

The canton lies on the elevated Swiss Plateau. In the west the lands are flat, but towards the south east of the canton, the lands rise to a hilly region. This region is commonly called pre-Alps but is part of the Bernese Alps.

The Canton of Fribourg borders the canton of Vaud and Bern. There are two enclaves within Vaud and one within the canton of Bern, as well as a large exclave on the lake. The capital city is Fribourg.

I’ve taken this photo of alphorn (alpine horn) musicians in small town of Gruyeres. Alphorn is a brass instrument consisting of a wooden natural horn of conical bore, having a wooden cup-shaped mouthpiece, used by mountain dwellers in Switzerland and elsewhere. Similar wooden horns were used for communication in most mountainous regions of Europe, from the French Alps to the Carpathians.

The medieval town of Gruyeres is an important tourist location in the upper valley of the Saane river, and gives its name to the well-known high quality Gruyere cheese. It is located 186km southwest from Zurich and 65km south from Bern.

ikeharel, PaulVDV, InasiaJones, kabel, krzychu30, pierrefonds, adramad, aliabazari, No_One, maria-v1981, westcoastgirl1, clic, kato, COSTANTINO trouve(nt) cette note utile

Critiques | Translate

SWEETFREEDOM (24623) 2012-07-31 10:42

Hi Miro,
beautiful light and nice dcene. i liked very much this town and Fribourg too is very nice. i saw similar alpin horn musician in Brunnen.
very nice this journey throgh swiss with your picture
regards
Alessandro

SNOOP_Chan (4377) 2012-07-31 11:22

Hello Miro, nice to see traditions here on TE and not only landscapes. Good compo, focused on the skill of those man. The photo could have more sharp but it's fine anyway.
Regards!

ikeharel (105977) 2012-07-31 12:05

This is an amazing scene, Miro.
In all my 5 trips throughout switzerland, never had the chance to see and listen to those mighty horns. Only in movies...
A fine clear shot, with beautiful smae-style houses.
Bonsoiree'
Ike

La_Tulipe (2798) 2012-07-31 12:05

Bonsoir Miro,
Ambiance cornemuses pour nous présenter ce petit village Suisse typique . Une composition intéressante avec une belle note d'accompagnement . Des lumières intenses qui donnent à cette journée une ambiance très estivale !
Amitiés
Brigitte

Miguel82 (47108) 2012-07-31 12:34

Miro,
A superb scene a mix of traditional and religious elements
Amazing instruments and beautiful architecture
Good pov
Sharp photo, good contrast and fine colors
Bye

JFS (32459) 2012-07-31 12:35

Bonsoir Miro,
Magnifique photo offering this curious scene. La composition nous fait voir beaucoup de détails qui nous approchent à ce beau endroit. Merci
amicalement,
Juan

carlo62 (81265) 2012-07-31 14:09

Ciao Miro
classica rock band svizzera :)
Bella e tradizionale immagine, la città è molto bella, il cielo non era bellissimo, ma la luce è stata ben gestita.
Saluti
Carlo

PaulVDV (54931) 2012-07-31 14:12

Hello Miro,
The alphorn musicians aren't shown that often here on TE. What I appreciate even more, is the beautiful surrounding in which they play their instruments.
I like the view of the cobblestone square and the wonderful typical architecture of Gruyeres.
You've composed this picture very well. The light and the colours are really beautiful.
Good light management. Excellent clarity and sharpness.
Best regards, Paul

rbellemare (2109) 2012-07-31 14:34

Bonjour Miro,

Une très belle photo d'une tradition suisse. Bon cadrage, excellente netteté de l'image et superbes couleurs.

Très belle composition.

Réjean

dta (98560) 2012-07-31 15:01

Hello Miro ,
It couls not be more typically swiss ! What a splendid composition ! The musicians were perfectly placed in the square , in front of beautiful buildings .
A sunny picture full of colors , too .
Regards

InasiaJones (31566) 2012-07-31 16:50

Hi Miro,

I wasn't lucky enough to be able to catch one of these alphorn when in Switzerland, but you got yourself six of them!...

The context is great, couldn't be more Helvetic than that. The light is well oriented to present the musicians with their black uniforms in full details.

Cheers!

André

kabel (1930) 2012-07-31 19:52

Hello, excellent POV and very sharp detail. I appreciate your lengthy and explanatory notes as I found it interesting to learn about, not only this region, but also about the unique instrument. Your photo is a fine example of a unique instrument to this region.
Thanks for sharing,
Karen

krzychu30 (15512) 2012-07-31 23:45

Hello Miro,
fantastic photo,that together with interesting explained story in your note makes so successful composition.The image is superb combination of daily-life photography showning us the Swiss customs and architectural photography with beautiful and charming architecture of Gruyeres.Technically the image is also outstanding.It has excellent sharpness and depth as well as nice,natural colors.
Have a nice day
Krzysztof

Silvio1953 (205890) 2012-08-01 1:23

Ciao Miro, lovely composition with original musical istruments, great perspective on lovely town, fantastic sky, splendid light and wonderful natural colors, very well done, my friend, ciao Silvio

wolf38 (30) 2012-08-01 1:36

Hello Miro. Yes, this is how to Switzerland. The Alphorn is a wonderful eye-catching. Well seen and presented. Rgds, Wolfgang.

pierrefonds (103663) 2012-08-01 4:49

Hi Miro,

You have captured well the action of the musicians. The distance between the musicians and the building in the background is giving depth to the composition. The point of view is showing the details and colors of the houses and of the buildings. The late afternoon light has a good effect on the colors. Have a nice day.

Pierre

eldancer1 (36343) 2012-08-01 7:42

Looks like those men needs a lot of air to play to huge musical instruments! I can imagine the sound created. Nicely captured with good dof and good lighting. Well done, tfs.

adramad (67078) 2012-08-01 12:01

Hello Miro.
Wow .... that luxury of composition .... spectacular place and have the wisdom to coincide with this curious as spectacular touch of instruments provides a unique opportunity.
Wonderful place with beautiful houses, the magnificent church with the original Calvary under the porch.
The management of the perfect light and shade and a wonderful color. Well done.
Have a great evening.
Best regards.
Luis.

aliabazari (18418) 2012-08-01 13:35

Hello Miro
Registration is done well. Excellent lighting and composition with a very beautiful ceremony. Good depth
With respect

No_One (4) 2012-08-02 4:34

hi Miro,
What a wonderful scene! This is a true Trekearth capture, brining the unique scene you have here to the whole world. The men with the horns are positioned perfectly in the frame, and such wonderful traditional architecture around them. Really nice!
Best wishes
Noel

marcan44 (6315) 2012-08-02 13:10

Ciao Miro,
grazie di averci fatto conoscere la città di Gruyeres patria del mitico e buonissimo formaggio da noi detto "groviera" e per averci mostrato questi lunghi e curiosi corni alpini.
La presentazione, il POV e la nitidezza sono come al solito eccellenti.
T F S !
Buona serata
Mario

maria-v1981 (10966) 2012-08-03 3:52

Hello Miro,
From here I sit listening to the sound of these instruments. Very interesting image with musical instruments to steal impressions. The architecture is wonderful also the atmosphere is wonderful.
Have a great weekend,
Cheers,
Maria

jarek (495) 2012-08-14 12:13

Hi Miro,

Really nice photograph. Great composition, I like bigger group of people on the right, and high building on the left. Well done!

Jarek

korbee (6619) 2012-08-17 12:09

Hi Miro,
Wauw,a better Swiss photo is not possible,youve gor very fine light and BG skies above,this scene could be perfectly fits on these boxes of Swiss luxury chocolat ;=]],and this is a compliment!
jan

westcoastgirl1 (666) 2012-08-21 14:43

Hi Miro

This photo is very eye-catching with its unusual instruments in it. I have never seen or heard of these before, so thanks for sharing this. The musicians look like they are putting forth a lot of effect to play them. Your photo is also technically sound...ha ha no pun intended.

Take care,
Tosca

thebest (4276) 2012-10-14 5:24

Hello Miro,

Wonderful daily life photo - I cannot believe how long these Alphorns are I am wondering how they are transported - possible housed somewhere in the village - I am looking forward to our visit to Switzerland next May - I have never been & it looks as if I will love it there.
Wonderful lively photo full of interest.

Kindest regards,
Dawn.

snunney (130967) 2012-10-23 7:05

Hello Miro,
They must make a great sound these alpenhorns all being played together. This lively composition captures the essence of Switzerland. The point of view is well chosen and the technical presentation very good.

jcpix (14030) 2012-10-26 18:53

Hi Miro,

Although on display for tourism, this is pure Swiss culture well captured. The balanced exposure shows off very good contrast between the blue sky and reds that this image renders. The smaller villages have such fantastic ambiance, and I think is a good example of just that feeling. Nicely photographed!

Regards,

Jason

clic (23832) 2013-08-24 11:47

Hello Miro
Unless they blew morse code through the alphorns, I can't understand how they could communicate miles away on other sides of valleys.
Fantastic picture to my canadian tourist eyes, to the point I recorded spellbinding alphorns music from Utube and saved it as moody concert music for a pastoral dinner!
Cheers.
Robert

abmdsudi (88621) 2014-02-03 6:15

Hi Miro
This is delicious, Miro - I love the way you've composed it so that you have the impressive range of buildings clearly in the backdrop while keeping the focus of interest on the musicians blowing their lungs out on the typically Swiss alpine horns. What a sky there to finish off this gorgeous picture! Great stuff, Congrats
Best regards

kato (11630) 2014-02-18 23:27

Hello Miro,

You're capturing well this scene and place by a good composition and excellent tone/clarity, so it's interesting and impressive to see the spectacle in which residents are playing the traditional alphorn in small lovely town in Switzerland. It's pastoral and peaceful scenery. And, it's also attractive for the buildings around the square.

Kkind regards,
mikio

serp2000 (47063) 2014-03-16 4:57

Hello, Miro,
I have never seen this legendary traditional music instrument. Excellent composition, fine details and interesting note about the alphorn. Attractive postcard format, well done!
Have a great week ahead!
Serghei

COSTANTINO (104259) 2014-06-08 4:20

Hello dear friend
I love the tradition and I would like to
be there listen to those original horns
People walking up and down everybody
interested in something else like
those traditional instruments
welldone and thanks for sharing it
with us
regards
have a nice time
Costantino