Insurance salesman Eric Carrère has been captivating social media audiences with his stunning photographs of the Pyrenees, Béarn region, and the Milky Way. His iconic shots are far from accidental, representing countless hours of careful planning and technical precision. His latest achievement could potentially strengthen the Pic du Midi de Bigorre's bid for UNESCO World Heritage status.
In his most recent capture, Carrère documented the moon's slow progression toward an antenna as it climbed the peak to its summit at 2,877 meters. "5, 4, 3, 2, 1... Click!" The photo was perfectly timed, showcasing the meticulous preparation that goes into each of his shots. This particular image exemplifies what Carrère describes as "the technical quest to be in the right place at the right time."
Carrère discovered his passion for photography in the late 1990s while taking his first photos of his children. Since then, this amateur photographer has developed a reputation for creating images that generate thousands of likes on social media platforms. However, he remains a perfectionist, often critiquing his own work. "Even though the quality isn't satisfactory for me because there's some haze," he explains about his latest moon shot. "I had achieved something similar two years ago when the weather conditions were more favorable."
As an experienced hiker, Carrère never ventures out on a whim or leaves anything to chance. His approach to photography is methodical and strategic. "I climbed up to the Col d'Aubisque in the early afternoon. I had cycled up there and saw that the planets would probably align," he recalls about the preparation for his recent shoot. "Then I needed to climb to the pass with the right perspective on the peak."
The key to Carrère's success lies in his thorough scouting and positioning. "I always go looking for where to position myself - that's the foundation," he emphasizes. This dedication to finding the perfect vantage point, combined with his understanding of timing and natural phenomena, has made him a standout figure in landscape photography of the French Pyrenees region. His work continues to showcase the majestic beauty of this mountain range while demonstrating that exceptional photography requires both artistic vision and scientific precision.
