Slovenian Adventures

25/10/2024

My Lake Bled calendar 2025 is a collection of beautiful photos in a large A3 (40 x 30cms) landscape calendar with a choice of matt, extra matt or glossy finish.

13/10/2024

When Lady Bled decides to show her colours, she really does it with style. Spellbinding sunrise this morning. The gasps from the numerous photographers along the boardwalk could probably be heard across the other side of the lake.

Canon UK EOS R5
1.6 sec
F16
ISO 100
45mm focal length
polariser
Benro UK UK Tortoise 34CLV levelling tripod

12/10/2024

Here you can book and pay online for my private Slovenia Photography Workshop in Spring 2025 - Capture stunning lakes and alpine mountain scenery.

22/09/2024

A fabulous morning at Saint Thomas view this morning. This is one of the places we’ll photograph on my Autumn workshop next month. Still 2 places left.

22/05/2024

The face in the wall of Mt. Prisank. (Can you see it?)

Long ago, in the Julian Alps, there lived a giantess named Ajdovska Deklica, the Pagan Girl. Known for her wisdom and kindness, she wandered the mountain paths, protecting the villagers in the valley below. They revered her as a guardian of the mountains, bringing bountiful harvests and shielding them from natural disasters.

One winter, a cruel sorcerer came to the village, envious of her power. Disguised as a traveller, he learned her routines and poisoned a spring she drank from with dark magic. As Ajdovska Deklica drank, she transformed into stone, realizing the betrayal too late. In her final moments, she cast a protective spell over the valley, ensuring the sorcerer could never harm her people.

The next morning, the villagers found their guardian gone, replaced by a sorrowful stone relief on Vršič Pass. The likeness of Ajdovska Deklica became a symbol of sacrifice and protection. Travellers who pass by pay their respects, feeling the giantess's watchful gaze.

To this day, the Pagan Girl on Vršič Pass remains a poignant reminder of the enduring legends and spirit of Slovenia.

16/05/2024

✨ Exciting News at Escape to Bohinj ✨

We are very excited to announce that we are now taking future bookings directly through our own website:
https://escapetobohinj.com/book/

By booking directly with us you can expect:

Best Price Guarantee:
When you book directly through our website, you're guaranteed to get the best price for your stay. There is no longer an additional cleaning charge.

Personalised Service:
Danny & I are able to offer you local insights and recommendations to help you make the most of your time in Bohinj.

Flexibility:
Short on time? You can now enjoy a short break at Escape to Bohinj with our new three-night stay option - perfect for that weekend getaway with family & friends.

Exclusive Offers:
Become a VIP and sign up for offers, last minute availability & cancellations.

Escape to Bohinj is more than just a holiday house - it is a "home from home" where you can rest, re-charge and create lasting memories with your family and friends.

We look forward to welcoming you soon,

Liz & Danny

13/05/2024

If you are wondering why the temperatures have plummeted across Europe, and the rain is coming, then read my article to learn about the Ice Saints and Pi***ng Sofia!

If you are wondering why the temperatures seem to plummet in early May, and it rains a lot in Slovenia, then read on to discover the legend of the Ice Saints and St. Sophia.

05/05/2024

View down to Srednja Vas, Lake Bohinj and the hills of Studor and Rudnica in the Bohinj Valley from Vodnik viewpoint, Triglav National Park, Slovenia.

Taken on my recent Spring in Slovenia photography workshop. I took my group up to this fabulous viewpoint. Amazingly, we had to trudge through some snow to get here, at the end of April!

Local legend tells of a family of giants that lived here. In this region where the Ribnica Stream has cut a valley between two big hills, there lived a family of giants who ruled the land around it. The two brothers stood on opposing hills, one on Studor Hill (right) and the other on Rudnica Hill (left). Between them they shared one whetstone, using it to sharpen the massive scythes they used to cultivate their crops and keep the grass cut clean and smooth across the whole valley. Their sister stood astride the Ribnica Stream, one foot firmly planted on each hill as she scrubbed their dirty clothes in the fast flowing water with a washboard.

Although the world above was the land of the giants, the underground was the domain of a tiny mischievous creature. Under the surface of Rudnica Hill the earth was rich in iron ore. Deep inside there lived a dwarf, known to everyone as Perkmandeljc. Now you might think that such a tiny creature was no threat to the giants, but in fact this little fellow proved to be quite the antagoniser. He was very protective of his ore, and if the giants dug too deep into his world, he retaliated by playing nasty tricks on them. Once he hid their whetstone in the river and for months the valley was overgrown because they couldn’t cut with blunt scythes. Try as they could, they were never able to catch him as he was so small he evaded them at every turn. The dwarf outlived the giants and some say he still dwells in the old mines below, continuing to tease and taunt the modern day miners who delve too deep into his world. Some believe that he also dwells in the nearby Rudno Polje. Or perhaps he has a brother too.

Canon UK EOS R5
1/160 sec
F10
ISO 320
67mm focal length
Kase Filters UK polariser + 3 stop hard grad
Benro UK Tortoise 34CLV Tripod + geared head

02/04/2024

Storžič mountain breaks through the cloud over Jamnik Church.

This image was shot at 11am. Well beyond what most would say is the time for landscape photography. But it just goes to show that it's not always about the golden hour. All weekend the air had been thick with dust and sand that had been blown in from the Sahara. But after a day and night of rain the morning was amazingly clear.

When cloud envelopes the mountains like this it is often best when lit from the top. So-called "top light".

Clouds lit from the top often display a striking contrast between brightness and shadow, creating a dramatic effect in the sky. When illuminated from above, they appear luminous and ethereal, with their tops highlighted by the sunlight. This lighting emphasizes their shapes and textures, casting shadows beneath the cloud formations. The upper portions of the clouds appear bright and white, while the undersides are shaded with varying degrees of grey, depending on the density and thickness of the cloud layers. Overall, clouds lit from the top add depth and dimension to the sky. This is why it is also great to go out around mid morning or afternoon.

The top light has also lit that snow-capped mountain peak beautifully.

Canon UK EOS R5
1/200
F11
ISO 200
235mm focal length
Kase Filters UK polariser
Benro UK Tortoise 34CLV Tripod + geared head

03/03/2024

Last light before the storm at Lake Bled.

Canon UK EOS R5
3.2 sec
F16
ISO 100
32mm focal length
Kase Filters UK Polariser
LEE Filters 3 stop hard grad
Benro UK Tortoise 34CLV Tripod + geared head

18/01/2024

Mount Storžič in the Kamnik Alps breaking throught the clouds at sunset.

Canon UK EOS R5
0.8 sec
F16
ISO 100
Kase Filters UK polariser
Benro UK Tortoise 34CLV Tripod + geared head.

Prints available here: https://ianmiddletonphotography.co.uk/product/clouds-drifting-over-mt-storzic-at-sunset/

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14/01/2024

Spring is a wonderful time in Slovenia, when the landscape is coming alive again and the colours are starting to form. This image of Jamnik Church with Mt. Storzic behind was shot on my Spring in Slovenia workshop back in 2018.

For a chance to capture this and other stunning views in Slovenia this April, book a space on my workshop for the end of April. I have just 2 places left.

We will be staying in the lovely Penzion Mayer, just a 5 minute from Lake Bled. More info here about this lovely apartments: https://www.mayer-sp.si/en/rooms/

For more info on the workshop and to book you place, go here:
https://ianmiddletonphotography.co.uk/product/slovenia-in-spring-apr-2024/