Category: Stories

Gondolas at dawn with the Church of San Giorgio Maggiore over the Grand Canal in Venice, Italy.

Sleepless in Venice

Getting up for dawn and sunrise in summer is always hard because it’s so early. But on a recent trip to Venice in Italy, getting up wasn’t the problem.

Photographing Swanage during a rainstorm.

Photographing the Wild Weather in Dorset

My wife often thinks I am mad heading out when the weather is bad, but it is a fact that some of the most amazing moments can happen during this time. On a recent scouting trip around Dorset for my upcoming workshops, this was never so true.

View across the beautiful Lake Bled, island church and hilltop castle at dusk, Slovenia.

Bold Photos aren’t everything in Photography

In the world of Internet and Social Media have we become too obsessed with bold, striking photos?

Mt Grintovec, the highest peak in the Kamnik Alps at sunset, Slovenia.

Benefits of Landscape Photography with a Telephoto Lens during lockdown

What is the best focal length for landscape photography? Well, one focal length for landscape photography that is often overlooked is that of a telephoto lens.

Lightning at dawn over the two small islands of Veli Osir and Mali Osir on Losinj Island, Adriatic Sea, Croatia. Photographed from Zaosiri beach near the village of Cunski, the main storm belt was primarily over the Istra peninsula but Losinj got the edge of it during the night. This was photographed as the storm moved southeast away from the Island.

Working with Natural Light in Photography

I took this photo on an August morning from Zaosiri Beach on Lošinj Island during a second trip to this location. I had found this fantastic place the year before purely by chance. While the view of these islands had interested me, it was not the image that I’d envisaged at the time.

Sunrise view across Lake Bled to the island church and clifftop castle from Ojstrica as the run rises beside Storzic and Kocna mountains, Slovenia.

Lake Bled viewpoint from Ojstrica at sunrise

Through Spring, Summer and Autumn the sun rises over the mountains behind Bled Lake, and from the viewpoint of Ojstrica it makes for a great photo, weather permitting, Here’s the story behind the photo.

View at sunrise from Rantovše hill across to Sveti Tomaz nad Praprotnim (church of Saint Thomas) and the Kamnik Alps, Slovenia.

The magic moment.

At the icon view of the church of Saint Thomas in Slovenia, I headed out one summer morning after the weather forecast showed the promise of a misty scene.

Early sunrise at Lake Bled. View across Lake Bled to the island church and clifftop castle from Ojstrica, Slovenia.

Lake Bled at sunrise from Ojstrica

The story behind the shot. Making a success out of failure.
The intention on this morning was to capture the sun rising over the mountains behind the island church of the assumption of Mary on Lake Bled, from the classic viewpoint of Ojstrica. It was likely my last chance, because soon the sun would move too far south for the autumn and winter.

View from Rantovše hill across to Sveti Tomaz nad Praprotnim (church of Saint Thomas) in the Skofja Loka hills, Slovenia.

The Golden Hour – Is it the best time of day to take pictures?

Is the golden hour the best time to take photos? Yes, if you want golden photos. But there’s more to landscape photography than the golden hour. See here..

Afternoon sunrays falling over the church of Sveti Josef (Saint Joseph) seen from the church of Saint Anna (Sveta Ana). Sveta Ana is perched upon an exposed hill overlooking the Ljubljansko Barje (Ljubljana marsh) near the village of Preserje.

How much does luck play a part when taking a photo?

What makes a great photograph? In this article I discuss the secrets of how skill, experience and knowledge, plus a little bit of luck, play crucial roles.