Summer Solstice this weekend
This Saturday, June 20th, marks the summer solstice (longest day of the year) and also the start of summer. However, judging by the way summer has been going this year, I’ll take that one with a pinch of salt. Although, I am excited because it’s the best time get sunrise photos at the iconic view of Saint Thomas Church in Slovenia.
A once a year event
Okay yes, the solstice is a once a year event, but what I really mean by this is that the solstice is a time where you can photograph the sun rising over the Kamnik Alps mountains at its closest point to the beautiful Saint Thomas Church. At this time, the sun rises right over the peaks just to the right of the church and you can easily get it all in one frame.
Saint Thomas Church view in Slovenia is famed among photographers. In most cases though, it is photographed in the latter or early parts of the year when the sun rises far off to the right. This is for good reason too, as the beautiful side lighting floods through the valley and illuminates the mountains and hilltops first, and then the church. It’s a magnificent moment.
Backlit in high summer
In high summer the sun rises behind the church. While the light can be less spectacular, it can be quite dramatic. At the solstice, and for about one week after, the sun is at its northernmost point (54° northeast). This is the best time to get sunrise photos like the one above.
Tricky to photograph
Scenes like this can be tricky to photograph due to the high contrast between the sky and foreground. The other problem you need to deal with when the sun is so bright, is the issue of lens flare.
Some tips of how to do it
In the following two videos I show you first how I captured the image in a two day trip last year, and also how I overcame the problem of the lens flare.
My book
Learn Photography
For a more comprehensive look at photography, check out my book, available to buy at Amazon.
Shedding light on all the photography basics in one book.
Want to know how to take better photos? Well, first you need to master the basic techniques. Whether you are a complete beginner or an intermediate looking to improve your photography, this book is packed with photography techniques, tips and advice for beginners and intermediates.
All the camera functions and their effects explained.
