Wintering Well
Wintering Well
"Wintering well" is a phrase that refers to enduring the cold season and emphasizes the importance of self-care and reflection. It means embracing winter by taking time to reflect and reconnect with nature.
As the first crisp winds of winter sweep across the landscape, the world around us transforms. Snow blankets the earth, and the light shifts, becoming softer and more ethereal. There’s a unique magic in winter photography—a stillness that invites us to slow down and capture the beauty of nature in its most serene and, at times, raw form.
Winter photography, like all nature photography, is about more than just the moment. It’s about understanding the environment, anticipating what’s to come, and truly becoming one with the scene before you. Whether you’re photographing a snow-capped mountain or the intricate patterns of frost on a window, here are some tips to ensure you don’t just snap a picture, but capture the soul of the season.
Capturing the Essence of Winter
Winter is a time when the landscape can appear completely transformed, stripped of the vibrant greens and blues of warmer months. But within this stillness lies a deeper beauty—a sense of place that calls to those who are paying attention. Take time to experience your surroundings fully. Let the silence settle over you, and notice how light plays on the snow or how the starkness of bare trees can tell a story of resilience. These moments are what will resonate with your audience.
Knowing Your Subject
Winter brings out a new set of characters in the natural world. Knowing your subject means not only understanding its behavior but also how it interacts with the unique conditions winter brings. The way a bird fluffs its feathers to keep warm or how the light catches the ice crystals on a tree branch can be subtle but important details. Winter offers an entirely different set of rhythms in nature. Be curious and dive deep into how animals, plants, and landscapes adapt.
Taking Advantage of the Light
Winter light is often considered better than summer light for photographers because it tends to be softer and more diffused. The lower sun angles create longer shadows and more dramatic contrasts, resulting in more textured and visually interesting images. Additionally, winter days are shorter, providing a more extended "golden hour," where the warm light enhances color saturation and overall mood. The crisp air often leads to clearer skies, further enhancing visibility and the quality of natural light.
Tip: Snow reflects a lot of light, and cameras tend to see it as overly bright, which can cause the snow to appear gray or muddy. A general rule is to increase the exposure by 1 to 1.5 stops when photographing snowy scenes. This helps maintain the natural brightness of the snow while preserving detail in highlights and shadows.
Sensing Serenity and Tranquility
Winter’s typically cold and overcast weather can create a moody, dramatic atmosphere. Whether photographing in a snowstorm or on a foggy day, winter's weather conditions can help evoke emotions and add depth to your images. The cold, harsh winter environment can convey a sense of isolation or tranquility, which adds a layer of storytelling to your photographs. The bare trees, frosty windows, and snow-covered fields create a distinct mood that can't be replicated in the warmer months.
Becoming Part of Nature
Winter can be harsh, but it's also a time for stillness and reflection. In the quiet of a snow-covered forest or the rush of wind across frozen lakes, let the landscape pull you in. Notice the subtle sounds of snow crunching underfoot, the crisp cold in the air, and the quiet hum of wildlife. The more you engage with nature, the more your photographs will embody that deeper connection.
Embracing Patience
Winter photography demands a particular kind of patience and adaptability. Conditions can change rapidly—a sudden gust of wind might sweep snow off the trees, or the perfect moment to catch a deer grazing in a field might slip away before you can even raise your camera. Anticipating a moment’s arrival, like the sun breaking through the clouds after a storm or the flash of a red fox darting through the snow, is key. Remember, patience is your ally.
Getting Perspective with Wildlife
When photographing winter wildlife, a simple change in perspective can transform your shot. Getting low to the ground, especially when photographing smaller creatures like squirrels or birds, brings an intimacy that can turn an ordinary shot into something extraordinary. The eyes of a snowshoe hare or a red squirrel against the backdrop of a snowy landscape invite your viewers to connect with nature in a way that feels personal and immediate. It’s that connection that makes wildlife photography such a powerful tool for storytelling.
Challenging Yourself to See Winter Differently
Winter can be a challenging time for photographers, but it also offers endless opportunities for growth. Perhaps it’s trying long exposures of snowy landscapes, capturing the delicate texture of snowflakes, or experimenting with different lighting to bring out the contrasts between the harshness of winter and the softness of the snow. Winter is often a time of quieter sounds, but that doesn’t mean the natural world is silent. The rustle of branches heavy with snow, the wind howling through bare trees, or the soft call of a distant owl—all of these sounds tell a story. Take pause, close your eyes, visualize the shot in your mind, feel the stillness of nature, open your eyes, and take the shot.
Ready to take these tips out into the cold? Whether you’re stepping into a snowy forest, capturing wildlife in the glistening light, or simply observing the beauty of winter in its stillness, remember that photography is as much about the experience as it is about the picture. Embrace the season, engage your senses, and let winter’s wonders reveal themselves through your lens.