Extreme weather can be
uncomfortable and even dangerous but it presents photographic
opportunities to anyone who will brave it. Winter weather is often
changeable, so you need to pick your times by keeping an eye on
weather forecasts and, if appropriate, tide tables. This blog gives
examples of pictures shot in winter and discusses some of the reasons
why winter photography should be welcomed rather than resisted. I
urge you to get out with the camera and ask any questions you wish to
raise by using the Contact tab on my Website.
The main considerations
in winter photography relate to weather patterns, temperature and the
quality of light:
1) Low temperatures
bringing snow, ice and frost
Typically, less snow falls on the coast than in
most inland towns. We do, however, get strong winds and frost in
winter, so it's necessary to brave the cold to get winter pictures.
The combination of frost and winter sun can create stunning colours
and a strong atmospheric effect. Sometimes the camera can capture
more than is readily discernible by eye, and experimentation is
needed to build skill.
Here are some examples:
This first picture was created from four shots at
different exposures to deal with the strong back-light from the sun
appearing over the horizon and the muted tones in the foreground. It
was impossible to visualise the finished colours on location because
the main subject was dimly lit, so I concentrated on shape and form
and composed the picture around the fixtures and objects. The
finished image was achieved post-production, with the use of HDR
(High Dynamic Range) software and the exaggerated colours give
dramatic effect.
The second picture was taken after the sun became
hidden by morning cloud and this single shot at a slow shutter speed
evokes the feeling of dawn because of relatively flat lighting. The
mono rendition helps to create a 3D effect.
The final shot is a blend of three images at
different exposures to emphasise the texture and hue of morning
frost.
If photographing snow, the received wisdom is to
increase the automatic exposure setting by one stop; otherwise most
cameras will 'read' the mass of white and the snow will look grey in
the finished image. Getting to know your own camera requires
experimentation; don't be afraid to override the automatic settings
and be prepared to waste a few shots at different exposures to learn
what works best.
2) Stronger winds and
higher tide levels
Winter tides can be
deceptive and are often higher because of prevailing winds, which in
themselves raise a challenge, both in holding the camera steady and
keeping sand and dust out of it. This shot shows marram grass, shot
in winter sun and a strong wind. The camera was held on a trip and a
fast shutter speed was used because the grass was blowing
intermittently.
3) Warmer light from
winter sun
Looking at pictures
taken in winter sun, there is an ambience of warmth – albeit the
photographer may have found difficulty in operating the camera with
freezing-cold fingers. Here is such an example:
4) Flat light
For most of winter we
suffer flat lighting on grey days. This is often a cue for monochrome
pictures, or even monochromatic colour. The old black and white film
could handle a greater exposure range than colour, and conversely
could bring out far more detail of texture and light and shade in
flat light. This is also the case with digital mono, as the next
example shows.
We are just seeing the
first signs of spring, and I hope that after reading this blog you
won't put away your camera for the next winter.
