Plitvice & Una National Parks Photography Workshop

Two Countries. Infinite Waterfalls. Peak Autumn Colours.

This 6-day photography workshop takes you on a journey across two borders to capture the contrasting personalities of Europe’s most dynamic water landscapes. We begin in the wild heart of Bosnia & Herzegovina at Una National Park. Here, you will photograph a hidden gem of raw power, where massive emerald waterfalls thunder through deep canyons—a location largely undiscovered by the mainstream photography community.

From the wild, uncrowded banks of the Una, we cross into Croatia to explore the structured elegance of the world-famous Plitvice Lakes National Park. While Plitvice is an icon of landscape photography, it is often challenging to shoot due to crowds. We have crafted this itinerary to bypass the busy trails. By guiding you to secret boardwalks and hidden viewpoints during the quietest hours of the day, we ensure you capture clean, pristine compositions of the travertine cascades framed by vibrant autumn colours.

Who is it for?

This workshop is designed for photographers of all skill levels, from beginners to professionals, who share a passion for landscape and nature photography. It is perfect for those who value authentic local experiences and want to go beyond the guidebooks, appreciating the first-hand knowledge and unique insights that only a local guide can provide.

Plitvice Lakes & Una River Itinerary

Day 1: Arrival & The Bosnian Wild

We meet at Zagreb Airport (ZAG) and immediately head south, crossing the border into Bosnia & Herzegovina. As we leave the highway, the landscape turns wilder. We arrive at Una National Park just in time for the late afternoon light. Unlike the manicured paths we will see later, Una is raw and powerful. We settle into our hotel near the river and enjoy a hearty Bosnian dinner—meat, cheese, and local hospitality are a highlight here.

Day 2: The Emerald Rapids of Una River

We spend the full day exploring the Una River. The star of the show is Štrbački Buk, a massive, multi-tiered waterfall that thunders into an emerald canyon. Because this park is less visited, we have the freedom to experiment with different angles without fighting for tripod space. We also visit Martin Brod, a village built right on top of the waterfalls, and explore the old Ottoman fortresses that guard the canyon, adding a historical element to our landscape portfolio.

Day 3: Crossing to Croatia

We start with a final sunrise shoot over the Una Canyon, capturing the mist rising from the cold water. After breakfast, we cross the border into Croatia and drive to Plitvice Lakes National Park. We check in and head straight for the boardwalks. Our goal for this first evening is the “Upper Lakes,” where the water flows through intimate forests that—by late October—are ablaze with red and orange leaves.

Days 4-5: Mastering Plitvice

We have two full days in this UNESCO World Heritage site. Plitvice is a labyrinth of 16 lakes and 90 waterfalls. The challenge here is composition: finding order in the chaos. We start early (beating the tour buses) to capture the Veliki Slap (Big Waterfall) and the iconic S-curve boardwalks. We focus on “intimate landscapes”—isolating a single cascade framed by autumn leaves—and use polarisers to cut the glare, revealing the impossible turquoise colour of the water. Beyond the main trails, we explore the park’s less-visited corners, where silence still reigns. If time allows, we venture outside the park boundaries to photograph traditional villages and the surrounding ancient beech forests in their autumn prime.

Day 6: The Watermill Village & Departure

On our final morning, we visit the fairytale village of Rastoke. Here, the Korana river splits into dozens of cascades that flow through the village, right under the houses and old watermills. It is a charming finale to our water-themed journey. We then transfer you back to Zagreb Airport, arriving around midday.

Chasing Light, Not Schedules

Landscape photography requires agility. We keep our itinerary flexible to ensure we are always in the best location for the specific weather conditions. If the fog is lingering in the valley, we stay. If a storm is clearing over the mountains, we move.

What to Expect Each Day:

• Sunrise: We start in the dark. We aim to be on location for the blue hour and the first light of day.
• Recharge: After the morning shoot, we return for a well-earned breakfast and a few hours of rest to recharge.
• Daytime: We utilize the midday hours for travel, scouting, or capturing details in the forests where the light is more forgiving.
• Sunset: We end every day on location, capturing the golden hour and staying until the last color fades from the sky.
• Community: Evenings are for dinner, wine, and connecting with fellow photographers.
• Education: We use downtime and bad weather intervals for image critiques and post-processing sessions, ensuring you leave with not just great photos, but better skills..

Activity level

Moderate (Lots of Steps!) While there are no steep mountain climbs, this is an active workshop. In Plitvice Lakes, we walk almost entirely on wooden boardwalks. Expect to walk 10-15k steps per day. You need comfortable walking shoes/boots and the stamina to carry your gear on flat but hard surfaces all day.

What’s Included in Your Adventure

Everything is Taken Care Of. We believe that a workshop should be stress-free. You focus on the images; we handle the logistics. This tour is fully all-inclusive:

Photos of Plitvice Lakes & Una River

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