Hello, I am Ján Michalec. Originally from Slovakia, now sharing my home between the UK and Slovakia. I began a good few years ago as a completely self-taught photographer, learning the craft the traditional way – using 35mm film and developing my own black and white prints using classic wet darkroom techniques before later moving into digital. That hands-on beginning probably shaped how I work today: patient, deliberate, and committed to honest image-making. All of my photographs are created using classic digital processes without any elements generated by AI. For many years I’ve focused on capturing authentic moments of the world around us.  

In the last few years most of my subjects have been the wildlife close to my home, but I never travel anywhere in the world without my camera. I’ve spent countless early mornings and quiet evenings exploring places, camera in hand, always respecting animals’ space and never disturbing their routines. I strongly believe that photos are not made with the camera, they are made with the eye, heart and head.

You’ll find a selection of my images in the gallery on this website. Each image here is the product of time, attention, and appreciation for the natural world. These photographs are my way of sharing the moments that make me pause, breathe, and feel connected to the wild places around me. Many of them have been published and awarded on 1x.com which is the world’s biggest curated on line photo gallery.

If you asked me which is my favourite photograph I’ve taken, I’d say the one I’ll take tomorrow. Interested to find out more? Drop me a line and I will get back to you.