In my previous blog I provided tips on how to protect yourself and your equipment from the elements during winter shoots. I also pledged to get out and capture Mother Nature at her frigid best a bit more this winter season and I hope that I have convinced you to do the same.
So, now that you know how to keep your equipment in tip-top working condition in the snowiest conditions here are some technical points to remember before you start snapping:
LIGHTING
I grew up in Hawaii, where unless you had access to a 4-wheel drive vehicle, you didn’t get the chance to experience snow first hand. (You needed a 4-wheel drive to get to the top of Mauna Kea—-one of the only spots on the Big Island where it snows a few times each year.) Needless to say, most of my first memories of snow came from pictures I would see in books or on TV. For years I thought snow fell in blankets. It wasn’t until I saw an extreme close up shot of a single snowflake that I realized how intricate snowflakes really were. If you are shooting a wide shot of a winter landscape, look for angles that will show the snow’s texture. Believe me; it will lend authenticity to your shot and entice the viewer to stare at your photo longer. To accomplish this, consider shooting so that the sun is coming in from one side of the frame or use the sun to backlight your shot.
EXPOSURE
If you are shooting a landscape that is primarily snow (or white) the exposure will be severely underexposed. To compensate for this with a traditional film camera start with a minus one stop setting and manipulate a stop in each direction. If you are shooting with a digital camera, simply shoot some test shots until you find an exposure that is not blown out.
TIMING
If you are shooting a snowy landscape remember that light bounces off snow, which means shadows fill in quickly. Ideally you want to shoot landscape shots early or late in the day when the light is low, and there are enough shadows to give your image contrast. Again, I highly recommend taking advantage of the “golden hours,” when the light bathes objects without harsh shadows.
Related Articles:
Thanksgiving–The Perfect Photo Op
Photography Lessons: The Rule of Thirds
Telling A Story With Your Shots
More Common Sense Tips To Capturing A Frame-Worthy Picture
Common Sense Tips To Capturing Frame-Worthy Pictures