Fairy-tale winter. Time to take photos
Published: 07.01.2020
Winter is a great time for photography. Snow and cold create interesting opportunities for photographers. We will tell you how to capture falling snow or ice crystals on plants, and share ideas for winter photoshoots.
Preparation
Extreme conditions are tough for a sensitive camera. Temperature fluctuations can harm the equipment. Prolonged exposure of the camera to freezing temperatures, even in a bag, can damage it. Therefore, plan in advance where and how you will be taking photos.
Tips for Winter Photography
1. Shoot in RAW format.
For winter shooting, RAW is a suitable option. The unpredictability of the weather deprives of interesting shots, which is completely eliminated with the RAW format.
Unlike JPG, RAW stores the full set of pixels. However, it requires post-processing. Any defects can be easily removed in a photo editor and the photo can be made brighter. Losses during cropping or formatting are minimal.
Images taken in RAW format are heavier than JPG. To ensure that all frames are saved, take an extra/reserve memory card with you.
Create a Light album from cool photos. You don't need to print the photos separately. We will print your photos directly on the pages of the Light album. Upload images to the free editor Mapi7 and create a thematic Light album. You can upload photos from your phone.
2. Play with the exposure.
When removing snow on a sunny day, you risk underexposing the image and getting a dark picture.
Practice with the priority of exposure. A high shutter speed will freeze falling snow in the air. A slow shutter speed will turn the flakes into long white streaks.
3. Think about overexposure.
We see snow as white. The camera perceives it as gray or blue.
To highlight the white color of the snow, overexpose the image. Add exposure compensation of one or two stops. This will bring more light to the scene, preventing the appearance of blurry gray exposures.
In the photographs, the snow will be white.
4. Add a bright spot.
The snowy canvas makes you want to capture it in a frame. But in photos, white compositions blend together. The charm of winter disappears.
Adding snow will help to highlight a bright element in the frame. Another color will bring the picture to life. Think about the object of the predominant color. For example, a red rowan tree.
5. Catch the shadows.
Use shadows as leading lines.
The short daylight opens up plenty of opportunities to play with shadows. Buildings and objects cast many shadows.
Think creatively. Try shooting from different angles.
Use what nature provides.
6. Winter and macro photography.
Winter is the time for macro photography. Each snowflake is unique. Taking photos of snow crystals from a close distance looks magical.
Try to photograph a single snowflake or several snowflakes stuck together.
Look for snowflakes on the branches of trees, benches, and houses.
Enlarge the scale of the selected scene to the maximum and enjoy the achieved effect.
7. Remove the snowflakes.
Falling snow can sometimes interfere with and distract from the image.
There is a simple way to remove snowflakes from the frame: set the camera on a tripod, decrease the ISO, increase the aperture, and shoot with a longer exposure.
The camera won't capture the snowflake. And you will create the illusion of complete absence.
8. Create bokeh.
The glistening snow will help create a cool effect.
Find an object against a shiny background. For example, ice reflecting light. Step back a short distance and take a photo with a wide open aperture (f/3 or f/5).
Bokeh creates a shallow depth of field from a wide aperture. The subject will be in focus, while the background will not be.
Fairy tale practice
Winter is not just breathtaking landscapes. New Year and Christmas are a paradise for photographers. This is the best time to apply skills and abilities in winter photography.
Use tricks for taking photos in the cold and get magical shots. For the subject, take something that is unique to winter.
Snowball fight.Smiles and snow will adorn the photos. Sincerity distinguishes photos of active games against staged shots. Have fun, make snowballs, and enjoy shooting. Cold weather and happy faces - a contrast that will make the photo special.
Snowman.Build a snowman with the kids. This winter tradition will become a pleasant memory. The rosy cheeks of the little ones and the hats askew will bring the scene to life. Once the snowman is ready, don't forget to take a family photo together.
Angel in the Snow.
Who said that you should only take photos of those who are standing or running?
A child or an adult can lay down on the snow and draw angel wings by waving their arms.
This picture stands out for its dynamics and positivity.
Sleds, skis, and skates.Winter gear is essential for photoshoots. Capture every moment. Falling off a sled and wind in your hair. Photos with sleds, skis, and skates are intriguing because each shot is unique. You will never get two identical pictures.
A walk through the festive city.Decorations and locations are a great opportunity for photos. And the photo shoot will be successful both during the day and in the evening. During the day, the snow will light up the scene. In the evening, the festive atmosphere will be enhanced by the lights.
When shooting a night cityscape, switch to manual focus. This way you will capture important elements from different distances.
Every photo is a masterpiece! Don't hide unique shots from viewers in your phones and cameras. A worthy way to show off your talent and preserve memories is to print photos on canvas.
Hot tea or coffee.A series of photos with a cup of hot drink in hand will become part of the story for a romantic photo book. The frame can be filled with warmth not only by the steam from the cup, but also by knitted items with a warm blanket.
Christmas tree.Decorating the Christmas tree on the street is a great opportunity for photos. Capture children and adults hanging decorations and tinsel on the tree. Take photos of the circle dance around the tree. If there is no tree in the yard, ask the child to decorate a bush that they can reach with their hand.
The results of winter shooting are a reason to create a fairy tale photo book. So, don't stay at home! Grab your camera, smartphone, and go outside. Winter won't wait!
