How to Take Beautiful Pictures in the Snow: 9 Tips
Reading Time: 4 minutesFew genres are as majestic as snow photography, but it’s not that easy. These tips can help you have a successful shoot out in the snow.
Winter is a magical time to take photos. But if you have tried it before, you probably know it is not as simple as putting your eye on the viewfinder and clicking the shutter button. You have to be prepared for the weather and know how to tweak some camera settings to get the perfect winter wonderland images.
Here is all you need to know about photographing the snow.
1. Dress for Success
Pay attention to this step carefully. When planning to be outside for a long time, add a layer or more than you usually wear. Remember to carry your hats, mittens, gloves, scarves, and an extra pair of socks in case you get wet.
Investing in temperature-rated jackets, snow pants, and shoes is a good idea if you frequently spend time outdoors in the snow. They can be costly, but they are an investment in the long run. Plus, your photos tend to be nicer if you’re cozy and comfortable.
2. Use Spot Metering
When you take photos—especially portraits—in the snow, your camera will usually underexpose the subject, assuming that the scene is bright because of all the snow. This happens when you leave your camera in its default metering mode—evaluative or matrix metering.
If you change your metering mode to spot metering, your camera will calculate the exposure settings based on that particular spot, so your subject will be correctly exposed.
3. Try Exposure Compensation
Exposure compensation is another way to solve the above problem that happens with evaluative metering. It can be incredibly convenient if you use shutter or aperture priority modes. If you’re not sure, here is all you need to know about exposure compensation.
When your camera underexposes a snowy scene, dial in one or two stops of exposure compensation to brighten up the scene.
4. Compose Creatively
Snowy vistas are great, but your viewers’ eyes may lose interest without a particular focal point. So have a unique subject to lead your viewers’ eyes. Look for trees, rocks, or a cabin to add visual interest to your snowy scenes.
Using layers is effective for making your composition dramatic. For example, you can add your subject in one of the layers with supportive elements in the other two layers.
Falling snow can be a wonderful layer to include in your composition. But you have to be at the right place at the right time. Look for slow-falling snow. The snowflakes must also be considerably larger. Then, use a shallow depth of field so that the flakes make a beautiful bokeh around your subject.
5. Look for Colors
A completely white scene can sometimes look bland. Adding a pop of color to your composition will break the monotony and make it more exciting.
Find vibrant birds, colorful berries, or evergreen trees to include in your composition. A cabin lit up in the dark can also be an interesting subject. If you’re taking photos of people, let them wear brightly colored jackets, scarves, or hats.
For those up in the north, aurora borealis is the highly sought-after subject. So don’t miss it if you have the opportunity to view it in your locality.
6. Use Weatherproof Gear
This goes without saying; you have to protect your gear so that you can expose them to the elements without worrying. If you shoot in snow for a prolonged time, moisture can get into your camera and lens.
Usually, expensive cameras are built with weather protection. You can also buy casings and covers to give them extra protection. If you have a habit of leaving the lens hood at home, winter is the time to use it to protect your lens.
Your camera’s LCD screen can play up while shooting in the snow. You can avoid this by switching off auto playback. Also, tuck your camera close to your body when you’re not actively shooting to keep it warm and insulated.
7. Check Your White Balance
Do your snow photos show a yellowish or bluish tinge? Go to your camera settings and make sure you’ve chosen the correct white balance settings. You can actually leave it in the default auto mode. It will get the white balance right in most cases.
Shooting in RAW is also one way to avoid white balance issues. This is because your camera will preserve all the details when you shoot in RAW. So even if you’ve chosen a wrong white balance by mistake, you can correct it in post-production without losing any details.
8. Carry Spare Batteries
Do you know your camera’s battery will drain faster in cold temperatures? The best temperature for your camera’s optimal performance is between 20 and 25 degrees Celsius. Temperatures colder than this can mess up the chemical reactions inside the battery and make it drain faster.
Carrying a spare battery is a good idea if you’re planning a long shoot in the snow. Also, remember to keep it in a warm place, wrapped with a scarf or glove. Keeping it in the pockets of your jacket can also insulate it from the cold.
9. Grab a Polarizing Filter
A polarizing filter is a powerful tool in any landscape photographer’s arsenal. It is a surefire way to bring out the colors by avoiding unnecessary glare. Unfortunately, snow scenes often have a lot of glare. You can add a polarizing filter to make your winter scene pleasing to the eyes.
Of course, you can use your trusty software to edit the details, but a polarizing filter’s effects are much more even and nicer. So, make sure to carry them on your winter photography adventures.
If you want to get the smooth, milky effect on waterfalls and other water bodies, a polarizing filter is a must to lower the shutter speed enough.
Shooting Magical Snowscapes Doesn’t Have to Be Hard
So there you go—knowing how your equipment will behave in the cold and being prepared for it is the key to having a successful snow shoot session.
As they say, there is no bad weather, only bad clothing. So take care of yourself too. Other than that, just brush up on some composition techniques. The winter wonderland is waiting for you!
Reference: https://www.makeuseof.com/snow-photography-tips/
Ref: makeuseof