A blizzard brings out the shutterbug in many people. Snowmen and snow angels, glistening trees and frolicking kids, inspire amateur and professionals alike to take their best shots and share them with friends.
But glorious as winter landscapes seem from the window, it’s easy to get a drab image if you don’t know how to photograph in snowy conditions. We asked acclaimed Nature Conservancy photographer Dwight Hiscano for his winter picture-taking tips, and he was happy to oblige.
First, says Dwight, don’t be afraid of the elements. “Bundle up, stay warm and dry, but get out there,” he says. “Snow, especially deep snow, provides the perfect opportunity to capture your subjects in totally different conditions, using different techniques, with very different results from what you'd get shooting during warmer seasons. It's also a chance for photographers to hone their skills and lessen their dependency on color.”
For more on superb winter photography (Dwight generously shared some great shots here, visit www.dwighthiscano.com.)
- Does the “golden hour" principle of shooting early in the morning or at dusk apply when it snows? It always applies if you’re shooting sun-lit subjects. You'll have less contrast and much warmer color than when shooting in the midday sun.
- How can I make snowy pictures look less blue? I personally like it when the snow reflects a deep blue sky; it's natural, and lately my goal is to reproduce what I see without any manipulation. On an overcast day or after the sun sets, snow will sometimes appear blue. Digital cameras can compensate with an adjustable "white balance" setting. Familiarize yourself with this feature (that little booklet you left in the camera box is called The Manual; read it!). Many cameras attempt to adjust the white balance automatically, but do it manually if possible.
As for those dark, dreary grays that our camera captures on sun-filled snowy days, the camera is exposing for the bright snow, and not necessarily for the darker subject you're shooting, hence that feeling of "You had to be there; it was much prettier."
Most cameras have a little "AEL" (auto exposure lock) button near your thumb. This enables you to expose for the subject, not the entire scene. Zoom into your subject, hold the button down, then compose and shoot. You can carry a "gray card" for the same purpose. When using a point-and-shoot or any camera without AEL, point to the subject you want to expose for or something similarly lit, press the shutter button halfway down, then compose and shoot. Be sure whatever you use to set the exposure is the same distance, as this will lock the focus on a point and shoot in addition to the exposure. - Does a flash help? A flash will help freeze a moving subject and give rise to interesting effects, capturing falling snowflakes or a child zipping past on a sled. It can also help light a stationary subject—the foreground of a landscape, perhaps. It’s more effective when removed from the camera and directed where the photographer needs it most. A collapsible reflector can be used the same way.
- Do you like to compose a photo with a focal point, like a sled in a snowy scene? I prefer a balanced, often symmetrical composition, something other photographers may frown upon (sorry!). Whether shooting close-up or wide-angle, I try to give every element in the frame equal emphasis, even if that element is negative space, like a patch of sky or water or white snow. If the scene requires it, then a visual feature leading the viewer’s eye into the image is useful, like a sled. Again, and I can't stress this enough, it's up to you.
- Should you find color in a snowy scene for contrast? Color in an otherwise colorless scene gives an element of surprise, like red berries or fall foliage against a white snowy background, or a flower bud poking through a blanket of late winter snow. A famous photo from National Geographic back in the ’70s depicted Buddhist monks in a temple. The frame was filled with the gray-and-black facade of the temple, except for two small figures in orange robes. The contrast of the bleak, colorless wall offset by the bright orange figures resulted in a beautiful, often-imitated photograph.
- How can I capture a sharp image of falling snow? Use a higher shutter speed, but be sure to adjust your ASA/ISO if you want more of the scene in focus (depth of field). Another interesting effect is created by panning the camera at a slower speed: follow the falling snowflakes with the camera while tripping the shutter; the flakes will be sharp but the background will have "motion blur."
- How can I capture sunlight fractured by bare tree branches? If you want the structure and form of the branch without distracting glare, block out the sun as much as possible. Get a nice "star" effect by allowing the sun to peak out slightly from behind the branch.
- What are your favorite things to photograph in a snowy setting? Anything natural. If I'm outside in the woods, the mountains, the Pine Barrens, etc., with a camera, I'm happy. Even if I don't have a camera, I'm happy being outside.
General tips for beginners:
Carry the right equipment. Bring water and food. Be prepared for changing conditions. Bring a plastic bag; your camera bag may not be as waterproof as it seems. Bring extra layers, hat, mittens , etc., even ski goggles are good to have when the wind is really blowing; I was shooting at Island Beach one winter and the weather was so cold my eyes were tearing, and the tears were freezing on my eye lashes. I had to walk backwards rather than face the wind. But I still got some great shots.
Most importantly, have fun. Don't be discouraged if you don't get the shot you wanted; while most people sat at home, you still made it out into the wilds and saw something special.
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