Texte par Jacques Revon
In 1976, I met mountain photographer Bernard Grange when I was a photographer at ILFORD. At that time I was going to test certain analog films in multiple conditions, with artisan photographers, reporters and other still image specialists.
Bernard Grange began his profession with his father who was a photographer who settled in 1949 in Savoie, in Valloire and Bernard naturally took over in 1965, and then expanded the black and white workshop-laboratory.
In 1970, we discovered Bernard Grange thanks to his beautiful mountain postcards made in black and white, from his photos taken with 6X6 format up there in the great outdoors, then a while later printed in color. He also decided to publish them under his name. Even today, they are present at the Cartepostallerie de Valloire as in other high mountain resorts, with also some of his photographs exhibited in large format.
Photographic activity in mid-mountains has always been closely linked to the different seasons, in particular during the mountain snow period then with the so-called “snow” classes and of course with each year, during the mountain vacation periods. winter and summer, the arrival of tourists and many families in demand for fresh air and tranquility.
The great moments linked to the history of the mountain, such as the work of those who live there, the cultural life, are also fully part of Bernard Grange’s photographic testimonies.
Every year, at very specific times, is the time of transhumance, a superb and very special spectacle. Recently, on December 9, transhumance was included in UNESCO’s intangible cultural heritage of humanity. As we know, transhumance is, in several regions of France and Europe, a seasonal movement of thousands of animals with their shepherds, all along pastoral trails. Transhumances are always very well organized and sometimes last several days.
This ancestral practice in spring and autumn depends on the environment and the climate of the moment. It is the significant event that everyone in the mountains is waiting for, a time which is also made up of cultural practices, dances, and festivals.
The photographer Bernard Grange experienced and knows perfectly all these strong moments. In Valloire as elsewhere, he photographed and accompanied these important trips many times. Over the years, he has always brought back superb images, precious testimonies of the mountain heritage and important links of humans.
Bernard Grange also wrote and participated, with his numerous analog photographs, in several works which always relate daily life, work in the mountains and in these transhumances. “The trace of men”, “The season of men”, “Glances over the mountain”, “The sculptors of the ephemeral”. https://www.auvergnerhonealpes-tourisme.com/fiches/exposition-de-photos-Ancienes-de-bernard-grange-pre-du-kosa/
Jacques Revon
Honorary journalist, author, photographer.
https://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jacques_Revon
