Winter scenes look best when snow stays bright rather than grey, so raise the exposure a little, watch the white balance and look for dark shapes to contrast with the white. Keep batteries warm and yourself warmer, and the cold season offers plenty to shoot.
Dress and Prepare for the Cold
Comfort lets you work longer. Wear layers, waterproof boots, a hat and gloves that still allow you to press buttons. Cold drains batteries fast, so keep spares in an inside pocket. Check the weather and daylight hours, tell someone where you are going, and avoid frozen water, steep slopes and areas with avalanche or ice warnings. Snow glare can be strong, so protect your eyes, and never look at the sun through a camera or lens.
Keeping Snow White
Cameras try to turn bright snow into middle grey, which looks dull and blue. Fix this with a few simple moves.
- Increase exposure compensation by about one stop, then check the screen.
- Choose a daylight or cloudy white balance if snow looks too blue.
- Watch the histogram so bright areas do not lose all detail.
- Shoot with the sun low and to the side, so snow shows ripples and texture.
A Winter Outing Checklist
- Keep the camera in a bag until you reach the spot to limit condensation.
- Put the camera into a sealed bag before you go indoors, and let it warm slowly.
- Find dark anchors such as tree trunks, fences or a person in a coat.
- Use a wide shot of the landscape, then a close frame of frost, icicles or footprints.
- Photograph falling snow with a shutter of about 1/250 s for flakes, or 1/30 s for streaks.
- Take early morning shots of frost on grass, when it is thickest.
- Bring spare cloths to wipe snow from the lens.
Subjects by Weather
| Weather | Good subject |
|---|---|
| Fresh snowfall | Clean fields, rooftops, quiet streets |
| Fog | Layered trees, simple silhouettes |
| Clear and cold | Frost, blue shadows, long sunrise light |
| Overcast | Moody monochrome landscapes |
Finding Stories in the Cold
Winter is not only landscapes. Steam rising from a cup, children in bright coats, a bird on a snowy branch, breath clouds in the air and warm windows glowing at dusk all add feeling. Look for a splash of colour against a pale background, such as a red scarf or a bright door, to give the eye a clear target. Keep sessions brief, go indoors to warm up, and enjoy the quiet that fresh snow brings.
FAQ
Why does my phone shut down in the cold?
Low temperatures reduce battery output. Keep it in an inner pocket and use it briefly. Follow the maker’s guide for temperature limits.
How do I avoid blue snow?
Shade and cloud add a cool cast. Warm the white balance slightly or fix it during editing.
The Short Version
Lift exposure for bright snow, protect batteries, and give your scene a dark anchor. Dress for the cold, avoid dangerous ice, and let the camera warm gradually.