This blog post is perfect for those who love photographing landscapes, whether they are shooting in the Mid-Winter season or at other times of year.
You’ll learn everything you need to know about how to shoot great landscapes during winter, including what types of equipment and settings you should use. (If you want more specific advice on taking beautiful landscape photos at any time of year, check out our blog post on that subject!)
What is mid-winter photography?
The Mid-Winter season runs from early January to late February. During this time of year, the air is crisp and cold while the ground is covered in snow. If you walk along a wooded path or go into a forest, everything will be blanketed by untouched white snow that sparkles in the sun.
While there is a lot of snow, it’s much less than what you would see during a full-blown winter storm. You can still safely walk through the woods without getting too dirty or having to worry about rainfall ruining your camera equipment.
How to shoot the best long exposures in winter
Winter photography is very different from taking pictures in the summer. Because of the colder weather, you should use some special techniques that aren’t necessary during warmer seasons.
One of these techniques is known as “Long Exposure Photography.” This technique involves using a tiny aperture and a long shutter speed to make sure there is no excess light in your picture. Without doing this, the photo will be overexposed- which is what you see when the sky is washed out or it’s completely blown out with white.
What should I wear while shooting winter photography?
While winter weather can often get very cold, you don’t have to dress for sub-zero temperatures. Dress in layers so that you can take off or put on clothing as needed.
You should also wear waterproof boots or shoes because you’ll definitely want good traction when walking through snow.
Don’t wear cotton clothing! Cotton traps in moisture, which is the last thing you want while out in freezing cold weather. Instead, wear wool and other types of natural materials that can keep warmth close to your body without trapping water inside.
In addition, you’ll want to wear a hat, scarf or face mask to keep your extremities warm.
How to take perfect night photos in the winter
Shooting pictures at night is one of the best ways to show off your landscape photography talents. You can create very dramatic images when you shoot in low-light conditions, and it’s sometimes possible to capture more accurate colors than during the day.
Shooting short exposures at dusk and dawn
You can create a more natural photo by shooting a short exposure at dusk or dawn. Doing this will allow you to capture some of the beautiful colors that appear in the sky during these times while still having some blur from your movement. This technique also makes it look like there is light coming from the windows of homes and other structures.
Perfect composition for winter photos
When you’re taking pictures during the Mid-Winter season, it’s important to pay attention to your landscape’s foreground. It should look like something is growing out of or pushing up through the snow instead of just being covered in white. This will make the picture stand out more.
Winter landscape photography checklist
To capture great winter photos, you’ll want to have a fast lens so that there is no excess light in your shot. A good minimum aperture for a DSLR camera would be f/5.6 or f/8. If you use a point and shoot, you’ll want one with a larger lens opening.
It’s also important to use a tripod because pretty much everything will be covered in snow, which makes it difficult for your camera to focus. If you don’t have an actual “tripod,” then just find something that can hold your camera steady.
You’ll also want to play with the exposure setting on your camera. Since most of the landscape will be white, you’ll have to crank up the exposure so that there is some detail in the photo without it being completely blown out. Finally, make sure your batteries are charged before heading out because you don’t want to miss any great shots.
How to get perfect reflections in winter photos
One of the most interesting ways to shoot during the winter is by getting reflections in your landscape photos. It can make for some very unique images, but it does require some special techniques. The first thing you need to do is find a body of water with a smooth surface so that you can capture a clear reflection. Then, slow down your shutter speed as much as possible without creating too much blur from camera movement. Once everything is set up, shoot some examples and check out the results on your computer before taking more pictures.
Tips for shooting waterfalls and streams in winter
In winter, most waterfalls and streams will be frozen solid. However, you can still create some beautiful images by shooting them as long as your shutter speed is slow enough to capture the movement of the falling water as it starts to thaw.
You’ll also want a fast lens so that you don’t have too much light getting into your camera. A good aperture would be between f/8 and f/11. Again, if you’re using a point and shoot camera, use the night setting so that the exposure can be adjusted automatically.
Conclusion
In conclusion, there is no better time to get out and take pictures than mid-winter. The cold air can add a unique texture to an image, so dress for it. If you have a waterproof camera bag or a cheap rain cover, that’s even better! You don’t need fancy equipment to take incredible photos.
All you need is an eye for composition, patience, and the willingness to experiment. Since there aren’t many other people out on the trails—the wildlife are plentiful! So have fun, be safe, and get outdoors.
