Winter is thought to be the trickiest season from the point of view of a photographer. During the day, especially noon, the sun tends to bounce off the off-white snow. This adds brightness to the surroundings. Consequently, the cameras meter gets fooled. You will not be able to capture the whiteness of the snow- instead the print will show a grey background which will definitely add dullness to the entire shot. Therefore, it is important that you keep a few tips and secrets in mind so that these problems can be avoided.
First and foremost, it is important to protect yourself as well the equipment. Dress warmly but smartly- do not put on thick gloves that will cause problems and prevent you from taking good photographs.
To ensure that your camera and other equipment are protected, carry them in a plastic bag. If the weather is exceptionally chilly and your camera lens fogs up, do not attempt to blow on it or wipe it with a cloth. If you blow on it, it will ruin the lens as the condensation from your breath and the air will work together to freeze it up. Be patient and wait for the fog to disappear. In case it is snowing while you are taking photographs, use a brush to remove the flakes and do so gently to avoid smudges.
Carrying extra batteries is always important. However, in the case of winter photography, make sure that you keep the batteries inside a pocket or in your jacket so that they remain warm. Batteries that freeze up do not work properly and therefore, cause problems. However, do not use any other heat source for this purpose as this is dangerous.
As far as the settings of the camera are concerned, the white balance should be set manually. A majority of experienced photographers say that they use the whiteness of the snow for the purpose of creating the white balance.
Once you have made all the arrangements and it is time to take the shot, make sure that you know exactly what you want to shoot and take a number of test photographs to ensure that the shot is not over or underexposed. Since the snow makes things tricky, make sure that you shoot from a number of angles to avoid future mishaps.
Contrasts always add character to the photograph. This fact is important to remember while taking photographs during the winter. You can do so by looking for rocks or patches of grass that are not covered with snow. A flash of green or brown against the pure white of the snow will definitely enhance your photograph. To get the best contrasts, consider shooting photographs during sunrise or sunset. This is because the angle of the sunlight will help you to add more color to the photograph.
Using a polarizing filter is always recommended. However, the concept of winter photography makes its use compulsory as it will help you to get rid of unnecessary reflections and help to add color to the sky or the ocean.
If you want to shoot dramatic photographs, look out for power lines and fences as it adds a sharper angle to the photographs. On the other hand, rivers give the photographs a softer touch. Therefore, be attentive and look out for such elements.
