Autumn in Moravia: A Landscape Worth Savouring

A photographic journey with Light & Land, 19th – 24th October 2026

By Barry Cooper

I’ll admit it, before this trip, I’d begun to lose some enthusiasm for landscape photography. I hadn’t quite reached the point of putting my camera gear on eBay, but the tripod was probably feeling neglected.

Having travelled with Tom and Ed on previous Light & Land workshops, I’d come to appreciate not only their photographic knowledge but also their ability to understand what makes each photographer tick. They knew my enthusiasm for landscape photography had been waning and suggested their Autumn in Moravia workshop might be just what I needed.

They spoke enthusiastically about the extraordinary landscape, the endless possibilities for composition and the wonderful autumn light. Their confidence was reassuring, although I did wonder whether a few rolling hills could really make that much difference.

Looking back, I’m very glad I listened.

Almost Too Perfect to Be Real

Our adventure began at Vienna airport, where we were warmly welcomed before travelling in comfortable vehicles towards our hotel in Moravia.

Autumn was beginning to show off with trees turning fiery red and the countryside taking on those wonderful seasonal colours. I’d admired photographs of Moravia’s rolling hills but seeing them for myself was another matter entirely. Remember the famous green rolling hills of the old Windows XP wallpaper? Imagine that only with sweeping vineyards, autumn colours and considerably better wine.

The landscape looked almost painted. Soft sunlight picked out distant tree lines, illuminating the gentle curves of the hills and revealing beautiful patterns of light and shadow. Vineyards stretched across the slopes in diagonal lines of green, yellow, and red.

It was peaceful, unspoilt, and almost entirely free of tourists. The locals greeted us with genuine smiles and clearly took great pride in their region, particularly its wines

A Landscape Within a Landscape

One thing became apparent fairly quickly. A longer lens was going to be my best friend. Rather than simply capturing the entire Vista in one sweeping photograph, I found myself exploring individual sections of the landscape through a telephoto lens. An entirely different world appeared. Lines, shapes, colours, patterns and isolated trees suddenly became individual photographs waiting to be discovered. you could stand in one location and find numerous compositions without moving more than a few steps. The difficulty wasn't finding a photograph; it was knowing when to stop looking for another one.

One of my favourite images featured an old brick windmill perched on a grassy rise, its dark conical roof and wooden sails catching the warm autumn sunlight. Beside it stood a small white building with a red roof and a magnificent tree turning yellow. A sweeping line of autumn coloured fruit trees led the eye across the ridge, while vivid green fields contrasted with rich, dark ploughed earth. Beyond them, the rolling hills faded into soft hazy layers. Using the longer lens compressed the landscape, creating an almost painterly scene. Other scenes revealed something quite different. Agricultural fields became abstract patterns, their curved tractor lines and subtle shifts in colour resembling brushstrokes across an enormous canvas.

But Moravia also reminded me of something important: the pleasure of stepping away from the viewfinder. Taking a photograph there was rather like tasting a good wine. The image itself is that first wonderful taste. But when you step back from the camera, absorb the landscape and simply enjoy the moment, that's when you experience the lingering aftertaste. Sometimes that's the best part.

A Forecast With a Sense of Humour

As any landscape photographer knows, the weather forecast is always worth checking. Whether it's worth believing is another matter entirely!

Our workshop leaders had thoroughly researched the conditions and warned us that one day was likely to be a complete washout. Alternative locations and plans were already arranged, but Moravia clearly hadn't read the forecast. After a brief spell of rain, the clouds cleared and what was supposed to be our wettest day became one of the sunniest. Plans were quickly adapted, and we headed towards rolling farmland bathed in beautiful low evening sunlight. Golden autumn trees swept across the hillside, separating dark ploughed fields from vibrant green crops, catching the last of the light. Long shadows stretched across the slopes while the contrasting bands of dark earth, green fields and golden foliage created an almost abstract landscape.

What had threatened to be a disappointing day became another wonderful photographic opportunity. So much for the forecast!

The Flavours of Moravia

Of course, a visit to Moravia wouldn't be complete without exploring its winemaking traditions.

One particularly memorable evening, we visited a local winemaker who welcomed us into his family home. After a generous spread of food, he took us down into his wine cellar, surrounded by rows of red and white wines, many of them award-winning. I've enjoyed wine tasting before but never one where the person explaining the wines was also the person who had created them. His enthusiasm and knowledge of the winemaking process were fascinating. He explained the science behind achieving a particular flavour and how difficult it was to find someone else who could reproduce precisely the taste he had in mind. That struck a chord with me. It's rather like asking someone else to edit your photographs. They might do a perfectly good job, but only you really know how you want the finished image to look. There's an individual creative vision behind both, and I can assure you, my interest in sampling the various wines was entirely educational. Obviously.

Good Photography, Good Company and Plenty of Banter

One of the things I've always appreciated about travelling with Tom and Ed is their approach to photography. Both are inspiring, warm, personable and blessed with a wonderful sense of humour. But what I particularly value is the pleasure they take in seeing you capture a photograph you're proud of. There's never that frantic feeling of having to collect every possible image before rushing off to the next location. Instead, you are encouraged to slow down, explore your surroundings and enjoy the experience. That relaxed approach takes away the fluster of chasing the elusive prize image.

They also have a remarkable knack for bringing people together. Throughout the workshop, everyone shared their photographs, exchanged ideas, and pointed out compositions that others might have overlooked. It was fascinating to see how differently people could interpret the same landscape and, naturally, there was plenty of laughter and good-natured banter. Most of it, I'm pleased to report, was directed at our two workshop leaders. They took it remarkably well, considering they were supposedly in charge. All joking aside, that combination of excellent photographic guidance, warmth and good company is what makes these workshops such a pleasure.

A Place Worth Returning To

Another lovely aspect of Moravia was the care shown towards the surrounding countryside. I noticed areas of farmland left uncropped to encourage plants and insects, along with patches providing nesting places for birds. It was encouraging to see wildlife being considered alongside the agricultural landscape.

There's something wonderfully peaceful about Moravia. The sweeping hills, changing light, vineyards and friendly locals create an atmosphere that makes you want to linger a little longer. Would I return? Without hesitation. In fact, I'd happily return simply to plant my tripod on a hillside, watch the sunrise and enjoy the shadows slowly stretching across the landscape. I might even remember to take a photograph.

And as for that inspiration I'd begun to lose? Well, the fact that I'm sitting here writing this blog probably tells you everything you need to know. Moravia was exactly what I needed. I returned home with fresh inspiration, wonderful memories, and a renewed enthusiasm for landscape photography. I thoroughly recommend this Light & Land workshop to anyone who enjoys beautiful landscapes, photography and good company.

Moravia truly is an undiscovered gem. Although, come to think of it, perhaps we should keep it that way.

Words and photographs by Barry.