An out of action ski lift, Pré Saint Esprit, in the resort of Les Arcs draws our attention to the impact of this infrastructure on the wild and rugged beauty of the Vanoise massif, site of France’s first National Park created in 1963, the Vanoise National Park.

Edward Hopley spent three years living in the Haute Tarentaise, part of the Savoie region of the French Alps which borders Italy and which encompasses some of the largest ski domains in Europe. At this time he began his Low Pressure series which explores the impact of infrastructure associated with our leisure activities upon wilderness environments.

This ongoing series is focused on seaside and mountain resorts out of season (and therefore devoid of people). Edward has chosen to photograph during inclement weather not only because of the drama and sense of foreboding that such conditions can create, but also out of a desire to avoid the postcard-esque association of blue skies and holiday destinations.

Edward explains, "I find myself particularly drawn to the more surreal elements of my chosen subject. I’m constantly on the search for unexpected beauty whilst at the same time wishing to draw attention to the ugly realities of our interventions in the landscape. My most successful images contrast dream-like natural tranquillity with uneasy, incongruous man-made features."

Accolades 
Photography at Bournemouth, the State University of New York and Manchester Metropolitan University’s Faculty of Art and Design. 

Awards: Gold and Bronze Medals in the Royal Photographic Society’s International Print Awards, 2001 and 2003. Finalist in the Photography Open Salon, Arles 2012. Finalist in the FMoPA International Photography Competition, 2012. 

Selected Group exhibitions: Open Salon, Galerie Huit, during Les Rencontres de la Photographie, Arles 2012. Photo Art Fair, London 2013. Royal Photographic Society 159th International Print Exhibition 2016/17.  The Gravity of Form, Beers London, 2013. Panter and Hall, London art Fair, 2015