When the weather is cold and the days are short most of us just want to stay inside and keep to home comforts. But now is a great time to get outside and be creative.
Here are some photography tips to take advantage of all that winter has to offer
Quality of light
Photographers often refer to the golden hour which is a period shortly after sunrise or before sunset during which daylight is redder and softer compared to when the sun is higher in the sky. Throughout the day in the winter the sun rarely reaches a high zenith giving us a constant ‘golden hour’ illuminating our subjects at a much more pleasing angle. In the summer the bright sunshine can cause all sorts of issues with harsh shadows and extreme contrasts. This flattering winter sun can be found at its best in parks and forests where it cuts through the trees creating stunning lighting effects.
Take advantage of shadows
As the sun stays low throughout the day in winter we are treated to unusually long shadows, these can add a more dynamic look to your photos.
Experiment with colour
Winter is the least colourful time of year. Trees are bare, there are no flowers and snow will hide any surviving greenery. These dull surrounds can work in your favour though allowing you to add colour yourself by dressing your subjects in bright coloured clothes or even just with a few accessories for example a bright scarf or hat. These colours will really pop in dull surroundings but be careful not to go overboard, you don’t want to end up with a photo that is so busy you don’t know where to look! As with all photography, experiment to find the best look for you.
Snow
If you want to get your kids outside for some photos the presence of snow will usually do the trick! Dress them up in bright hats and scarves and let them play freely – you’ll get some fabulous shots if you don’t intervene too much but you will have to be alert and ready to move so as not too miss THAT shot! Snow is very relective so your photos will be bright and your subjects faces lit up beautifully. There are some downside to this though and all this whiteness may confuse your camera’s metering system causing it to under expose your subject. If you are an advanced photographer and know your camera well you can overcome this problem by increasing your exposure compensation – you may not always have to, each situation will be different.
Composure
The way to make your photos really stand out and be creative is to experiment with composition. Avoid placing your subject in the middle of the photo, use different angles and don’t be afraid to experiment!
For further tips or to book a winter photo shoot with me please get in touch, I’d love to hear from you