Something is humbling about standing before a mountain that has witnessed centuries pass in silence. The peaks of the Swiss Alps, majestic, snow-capped, and timeless, are among the most photographed landscapes in the world. But capturing them in a way that feels personal and alive is a challenge few can master. In Top of Europe: Switzerland Alps via Cogwheel Railways, photographer Jane Moorman reveals not just the grandeur of these mountains but also the art of photographing them with patience, purpose, and perspective.
Moorman’s journey takes readers through some of Switzerland’s most celebrated alpine destinations: Mount Pilatus, Jungfraujoch, known as the “Top of Europe”, and Gornergrat with its unmatched view of the Matterhorn. What makes her work exceptional is how she marries the technical craft of photography with the emotion of discovery. Through the lens of her camera, and the slow climb of Switzerland’s historic cogwheel trains, she teaches that photographing mountains isn’t about chasing perfection, but about capturing presence.
The first lesson from Moorman’s journey is the importance of timing. Light changes rapidly in the Alps; a peak that looks soft and golden at sunrise can become sharp and dramatic by noon. She shows that the best shots come not from rushing but from waiting, studying how the sun hits the slopes, how the mist drifts between ridges, and how clouds transform the scene from serene to cinematic in minutes.
Framing is another essential skill Moorman highlights. Mountains are vast, and photographing them can feel overwhelming. Her approach often involves incorporating elements of human scale, such as a railway car winding along the ridge and a small chalet against towering cliffs, to emphasize both the immensity and intimacy of the Alps. These contrasts, she suggests, turn simple photographs into storytelling images.
However, perhaps the most important insight from Top of Europe is that photographing mountains is just as much about emotion as it is about technique. The grandeur of the Alps can’t be contained in megapixels. It must be felt. By combining imagery with the experience of traveling via cogwheel railways, Moorman invites readers to slow down, observe, and let the scene unfold naturally.
Through her lens, the Swiss Alps become more than a landscape. They become a living subject, full of mood, rhythm, and life.
For anyone who dreams of capturing the beauty of the world’s most iconic peaks or simply wants to experience the Alps through a photographer’s eyes, Top of Europe: Switzerland Alps via Cogwheel Railways is a journey worth taking.
Explore this book now, available on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DQW9FWRR.