Last stop, Montreaux (on the other side of Geneva)

The last day in Switzerland was a hot one. My food and drinking water were almost depleted, and the Sun was pretty hot this day. After driving for a couple of hours with some pit stops along the way, I finally made it to Montreaux. It's like, the cheaper version of Geneva, or at least, that's what I like to think. Switzerland is known to be one of the most expensive countries in the world. Anything should be expensive (4 bucks for a water bottle for example), one may think.

Going to Montreaux to spend the whole day wasn't the brightest idea of this road trip. Having the car publicly parked for just the day was about 50 euro's lmao. I did not expect that. It felt like robbery. That didn't bother many people, because it was so hard to find a parking spot! It was an extremely hot day after all, so lots of people went to the lake to cool down. The last couple of hiking days in Swiss was taking their toll, and I wish I was still staying at Aeschi bei Spiez, where everything seemed to be relaxed and chill. Haha.

I've seen this boat before, haven't I?

Every few hours, I saw this boat appear and disappear from the horizon. I'm assuming it's a boat that transports people from Montreaux to Geneva, and the other way around. It was quite relaxing to watch the ships come and go while relaxing near the water.

Watching another stunning Sunset

As it was getting late, the Sun was getting lower and lower. There was this type of haze hanging above the lake, and I think because of the mountains, it cast some sort of light beam on the lake itself. I've never seen something like this before, at least, not with this size. If anyone knows what it is, please let me know, I'm curious to learn more stuff every day :)

Trying long exposure during the day with a peaking Sun

One of the biggest challenges I have is trying out long exposures. Well, not just long exposures. But long exposures while the Sun's out, and at a peak. Harsh contrasty-like light is the worst when you want to take long exposures. I think I used 4 ND filters (neutral density) including a CPL, and a UV filter, to give it at least a shot.

Now, don't get me wrong, but this is practically a 'money shot', perhaps not a money shot like the ones you'd go and say: oh nice picture. More about the expensive gear you're required to take a clear/clean shot. If you have high-quality glass, you -must- purchase high-quality filters. So, you could say, with the price of all the filters that applied, I could've bought another prime lens (and I don't even have the triple-A quality (maybe double A :P) filters).

I would be "lying" if I was going to say that this shot is technically very difficult because it isn't. You just apply quality ND filters in front of your lens, and you use a tripod. That's it. Of course, it's a bit harder to take a look through the viewfinder as everything is pretty dark.

Shooting in Direct Sunlight

Whenever the Sun is out, people seem to have the greatest of ideas. To go to the lake and take a swim. Not for me though, when the Sun is out, I'd like to take photographs! Shooting in direct Sunlight is another calculated technique that must be approached carefully. You have to trust your histogram. Even though I don't look often at my histogram, I mostly only do it when I can hardly see.

Shooting in direct Sunlight tricks your eyesight. You're being tricked into seeing 'not that much', while in fact, your photographs can come out as over-exposed. Which is a sad thing when you're going home. Imagine, driving 8 hours to this spot, to take some photographs, and driving 8 hours back, only to find out that your shots are over-exposed. Whups. So, yeah, don't do that. It's a good idea to first look at the first photographs that you clicked if you're not familiar with the histogram. It's best to do this in the shade.

Another stunning Sunset

These Sunsets though, look so amazing. I think I've to spend 4-5 hours in Montreaux just to relax and catch my breath. I was getting pretty exhausted from the whole trip, and I still had to drive back home. I decided to regain my energy, eat some food, and watch the Sun go down for the last time during my visit. But not entirely down, I need to see when I'm driving the first couple of hours! Even though it was 9 hours straight back home from Montreaux, I managed to do it in 13. You know, because of sleep and tired-self.

Found an old folder full of RAW images I never touched

The fun thing is because I brought two cameras with me, I had two folders of photographs. I have -no- idea why, but I had another folder unopened full of RAW photographs of the entire trip. What a treasure find! I hope you enjoyed these photographs of the last stop on my first road trip to Switzerland.

Cheers,
Ruben

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