Last week, I provided a few tips on how to handle your photographic gear in the winter (see Part I). Now, while winter does impose some constraints on how to use the gear, it certainly opens up a number of shooting opportunities that would not be there otherwise.

1. Snow, exposed.

As some  of you may know, your camera meter is calibrated for midtone values (18% grey to be exact). What this means is that the reading your camera gives you is such that the overall scene has a tone that is equivalent to grey. For most scenes, you can safely rely on your meter and not give it a second thought. However, many winter scenes are dominated by this white thing, can’t remember what it’s called….uhhh…Oh yeah, SNOW! So when you take your exposure reading, the camera will try to render the scene grey, which is not what we want. You have to compensate the exposure by 1 to 1 and a half stops above the reading in your camera.

For example, if your camera tells you to expose 1s at f/11, you should dial in at least one stop, so either take the exposure for 2s at f/11 or 1s at f/8. For one and a half stops overexposure, you could dial 3s at f/11. Always take a look at your histogram to make sure you haven’t clipped any highlights.

There is a simple trick when shooting on a nice and clear day. All you have to do is take a reading off the bright blue sky. That’s it!

2. Simpler is better

For as long as you don’t have a big driveway to shovel every morning, snow can actually be a lot of fun. Once snow covers the ground , it immediately renders any landscape more appealing by essentially removing most distractions. Now you no longer have tree stumps on the ground, some of the man-made trails have disappeared, all you can see is an immaculate cover of powdery white stuff (not to be confused with other powdery, less healthy alternatives). This is your chance to go for nice, minimalistic compositions, where peace and order reign uncontested.

3. Who said grey was dull?

I don’t know about you, but where I live, the sun doesn’t shine very often. Though I miss that warm fuzzy ball of fire (it isn’t really fuzzy, but the sentence sounded better), I have to say that I rather enjoy shooting grey days…yes I am also weird, but that’s a matter for another day. Just like in other seasons, an overcast day is a perfect opportunity to shoot streams, waterfalls and forest scenes, as the lower contrast is easier to handle than on a clear sunny day. Dark grey skies are also perfect to create equally dark and moody scenes, with unique and mesmerizing atmosphere.

4. Follow the leader

The secret behind good wide-angle photography lies in the choice of an interesting background combined with a leading line that takes the viewer through the photograph. While I often struggle to find such leading lines in the summer, I have no such trouble in the winter months. All you have to do is find a spot where ice meets water and you have your lead-in drawn for you. You just have to set your tripod, aim your lens and shoot away.

In the end, I really hate shoveling snow, breaking ice packs even worse, but I have to admit that winter is probably my favorite season for photography. Not only do photo opps abound, but you often find yourself alone to enjoy these great (and privileged) moments in Nature. If you are interested in more hands-on training, consult the workshop page for workshop and course schedules.