Nice-based photographer Nicolas Svetchine is sharing his passion for the current season through spectacular photographs that celebrate the flaming autumn colors of Valdeblore, located in the countryside behind Nice. His stunning images are so beautiful that viewers might wonder if they've been digitally enhanced, but the young altitude photographer assures that his series of autumn photos from Valdeblore are completely natural, creating paintings worthy of Claude Monet.
The photographs feature contrasted yet subdued imagery that is both clear and misty, with golden enveloping tones of bronze green, old rose, and orange that fill viewers with emotion and delight. These images of the current season illuminate the author's Facebook page, while others showcasing the full spectrum of all four seasons are featured in the permanent outdoor exhibition titled "Landscapes and Natural Heritage of Valdeblore."
The exhibition was conceived in partnership with the local municipality and features 82 images arranged in an arc around the children's garden near the tourism office of this village spread throughout Mercantour National Park. This collection expresses the rich vegetation of the site, particularly during autumn, which Svetchine describes as "an extraordinary period with very beautiful contrasts, allowing for magical photos in terms of light. In autumn, as in winter, the end-of-day skies have very marked tonalities."
The 34-year-old photographer, son of celebrated Nice architect Luc Svetchine, shares his father's profound respect for nature. Born in Nice, Nicolas studied geography in Paris and explored information and communication sciences before launching into documentary work. The moving image eventually transformed into still photography, and since 2020, Svetchine has been a photographer with nature as his preferred subject, primarily focusing on local landscapes.
"I photograph Valdeblore a lot because that's where I live," explains Svetchine. "Furthermore, on the same territory, the diversity of atmosphere is incredible. Between 400 and 2,800 meters altitude across 9,416 hectares, there's plenty to work with including valleys, woods, and fabulous lakes." Rather than being a paparazzi of leaves and trunks, he considers himself an apostle of "plant poetry," as he puts it.
During autumn, the photographer embarks on day-long expeditions, sometimes lasting several days, traveling on foot and bivouacking to be truly connected to the earth and mountains. This approach allows him to capture "mysterious atmospheres that give free rein to the imagination." His photographs often resonate with his past as a geographer: "From one year to the next, I see the evolution of sites and colors, which can be explained by climate changes that impact chlorophyll, for example. However, this autumn is more beautiful than the previous one. Its colors are more vivid because there were more summer rains."
This sensitivity mixed with aesthetics has earned him the Public Prize in 2023 and 2025 at the "Views of the Mountain" photography meetings in Saint-Sauveur-sur-Tinée. His work was also labeled by the Mercantour EcoTourism network this year. He sometimes explains this perception during conferences, combining his scientific background with artistic vision.
Regarding whether his photos are retouched or filtered, Svetchine maintains his commitment to authenticity: "I make many adjustments during shooting, particularly regarding white balance, to avoid doing it afterwards. No filters, neither before nor after. I want the photo to keep its soul." This philosophy ensures that the breathtaking autumn colors viewers see are exactly as nature presented them in the stunning countryside behind Nice.
