Eric Carrère, an amateur photographer from the Béarn region of southwestern France, has perfected his craft to offer his followers magical images of mountain peaks and starlit skies in the heart of the Pyrenees. Through years of dedication and technical improvement, he has developed a unique approach to mountain photography that combines careful preparation with adventurous overnight camping expeditions in remote locations.
Unlike many photographers seeking commercial success, Carrère has no intention of selling his images or even exhibiting them publicly. He works purely for the joy of the craft itself. "Of course, seeing that people love my photos encourages me – it's like fuel for me. But what's most precious to me today is having time and doing what I love," explains the passionate photographer who has made the Pyrenees his primary subject.
By day, Carrère works as an insurance salesman, a job that requires him to travel extensively throughout the Pyrénées-Atlantiques department. This professional obligation has proven beneficial for his photography, as it allows him to scout potential shooting locations during his business travels. He discovered one of his favorite vantage points at a client's farm, which offers an unobstructed view from the Boulevard des Pyrénées. "It's my go-to spot for photos of the July 14th fireworks or New Year's celebrations. I was the first to set up there, but others have copied me since. I feel a bit like those mountaineers who open new routes for the first time," he says with a laugh.
Carrère's journey into photography began in the late 1990s when he started capturing his children's first steps, like any parent would. Over time, his equipment became more sophisticated, his collection of lenses expanded, and his artistic eye became increasingly sharp. He emphasizes that many people don't understand the concept of perspective when using very long focal lengths, noting that camera equipment offers possibilities far beyond human vision.
"The camera isn't calibrated like the human eye, which only has two main options: wide-angle field of vision when looking at a landscape, and portrait vision, about 50 millimeters, when you focus on something specific," Carrère explains. His camera equipment provides a vast array of additional possibilities, particularly those long-distance perspectives that allow him to magnify the size of distant subjects dramatically.
This technical approach creates striking visual effects in his work. The Pic du Midi d'Ossau mountain appears as a prominent background element in many of his photographs, while a reddish moon seems to hang directly from the Pic du Midi de Bigorre peak, creating images where these natural features become almost intimidatingly large and imposing.
One particular photograph of a full moon positioned above the Pic du Midi de Bigorre exemplifies Carrère's technical quest to be in the right place at precisely the right moment. "I had achieved something similar two years ago when weather conditions were even more favorable. I climbed up to the Col d'Aubisque pass in the early afternoon – I had ridden there by bicycle and saw that the planets would probably align correctly. Then I needed to climb to the right slope with the proper positioning," he recalls, describing the meticulous planning required for such shots.
The photographer's work represents a perfect blend of technical expertise, careful planning, and pure passion for the natural beauty of the Pyrenees. His dedication to capturing these magical moments, combined with his willingness to undertake challenging mountain bivouacs, results in images that showcase the dramatic beauty of one of Europe's most spectacular mountain ranges.
