During winter, there are often the natural tendencies to go outside and play in the creative and beautiful scenes snow creates. Wintry conditions also provide beautiful settings and opportunities for some creative photoshoots.
However, as snowflakes fall, have you ever felt inclined to capture some of the scenes with your digital camera? If you have, you might have discovered that winter photography is tricky and a bit challenging. The cold weather and the brightness of the snow are some factors that make snow photography a little trickish and demanding.
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If you are thinking about how to photograph good images of the beautiful scenes created by snow or how to capture the falling snow, this guide is for you!
The article will guide you on how to shoot winter/snow portrait photography even without experience in this niche. It will cover professional tips and techniques, ideas, and best settings to enhance your night’s outdoor portrait winter photography.
Quick Camera Settings For Winter/Snow Portrait Photography
- ISO – Auto or between 100 – 400.
- Aperture – for a shallow depth of field, f/1.2 – f/4; for a broad view, set it between f/8 to f/16.
- White balance – Auto
- Shutter speed – 1/250th of a second
- Focus – Manual
- Shoot format – Raw
Best Equipment For Winter And Snow Portrait Photography?
- A digital camera or smartphone with a good camera
- Good weather-sealed or resistant camera lens.
- A sturdy tripod
- Long-lasting camera batteries
- A sturdy camera bag
- Lens cleaner
- Lens cap
Portrait photography aims at capturing the personality, character, and emotions. It can either be candid or artistic. Portrait photography requires more than just the ability to understand your camera settings, lighting, and composition.
You must also possess the ability to connect with your subjects and capture their unique qualities. So, it is a difficult but rewarding genre of photography.
Click Below to read a comprehensive guide to learning and mastering the art of portrait photography.
Top 7 Snow Photo Ideas You Can Try This Winter
1. Capture the falling snow
What is winter without falling snow? Capturing the falling snow is a great way to sharpen your winter images.
2. Photograph the macro snowflakes
Photoing macro snowflakes is one of the exciting and striking moments in winter photography. Ensure to look around for some macro snowflakes.
3. Capture some picturesque snowstorms
Snowstorms are inevitable in winter. You wouldn’t like your winter images to be devoid of snowstorm scenes. Snowstorms often occur near rivers or lakes, or uplands.
- Tip: Ensure the snowstorm is mild and keep a reasonable distance. Use an ultra-wide-angle angle camera lens, and for the best experience, shoot with different shutter speeds.
4. Capture landscape images to reveal the wintry beauty:
Nature changes during winter. The trees change color, and rivers and lakes freeze! These changes are what make winter beautiful and distinctive. You go out for a walk in a forest and capture some remarkable landscape winter images.
5. Capture Wildlife photos:
You don’t have to be a wildlife photographer to capture wildlife images in winter. However, do not go deep into a forest looking for animals. You can take some crisp pictures of birds and other domestic animals like dogs and horses on the snowfield.
6. Take photos of people and their activities:
You are not alone on the snowfield, so consider including other people and their activities in your winter/snow portrait photography.
7. Take Sunrise and Sunset Photos:
You should wake up early to shoot the sunrise or set out in the evening to photograph the sunset. You will love it. The changes in nature during winter also make sunrise and sunset remarkable. You can try sun flare photography in winter.
Learn more about the best settings for portrait photography.
How To Do Winter/Snow Photography Like A Pro?
Snow is one of the most beautiful aspects of winter, but it is also one of the most challenging subjects to photograph. Here is a step-by-step guild to capturing beautiful snow images in winter.
Choose a subject for your snow photography:
When planning your winter photography, consider having a subject or some points of interest. Knowing your subject before going out can save you some time and energy and is also vital in finding the most suitable location to use. You can focus on the night sky and stars, sunrise and sunset, or the snowy landscape.
Find a good spot for the photo:
After deciding on your subject, find a suitable location for the shooting. Ensure the spot supports and gives you full access to your subject.
Set up your gear:
Adjust your camera setting and ensure all other gears are properly set!
Start Clicking
Take a few test shots and adjust your camera settings to suit your preference!
Best Professional Tips To Capture Good Snow Images
1. Preplan for the snow images
- Prepare yourself and your equipment against the cold weather.
- Pick extra charged camera batteries. Batteries quickly run low in cold conditions.
- Decide on the subjects you want to shoot.
- Plan out your shots in advance so that you don’t have to spend time editing them later on after taking them with your camera or phone.
2. Get the right equipment for the photo.
- A good camera
- A wide-angle lens
- Camera lens cleaner
- A sturdy bag
3. Ensure to use of natural light sources
Natural light sources are best for snow photography. It increases the clarity and sharpness of the winter images. Snows are bright enough; artificial light can reduce the quality of the photos. However, if your subject requires artificial light, fix the light at a high angle from the ground to prevent reflections or image glares in your photographs.
4. Use a wide-angle lens
A wide-angle lens allows you to capture broad views of the snowy landscape, streets, and other wintry subjects.
5. Aim for soft light for the best image color and contrast
Direct sunlight will make the snow look faded or blurred.
6. Shoot in aperture priority mode
Aperture priority gives your camera total control over your shutter speed or exposure based on the lighting condition.
7. Shoot raw images of the snow
It’s best to capture the snow images in raw format and adjust them in the post-processing phase.
8. Experiment with different white balance
White balance enhances the color temperature in your images. Play with your white balance to get some epic snow images.
9. Protect your equipment
When not using your camera and other gears, use a sturdy bag to keep them warm and safe from the cold weather.
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How To Capture Portrait Pictures Of White Snow
1. Start by choosing a well-lit location, preferably with natural light from the sun or a window. Avoid using artificial light as it will make the image look too harsh and unnatural.
2. Keep in mind that you do not need to have snow falling from the sky for you to take great pictures of white snow! You can find some in your backyard or even at your local park or playground.
How Do You Pose For Pictures In the Snow?
There are a few different ways to pose for pictures in the snow.
- You can put your arms up and make a snow angel.
- You can bring your hands together in front of you and then jump back to create a snowball.
- You can also have your hands on the ground with your butt sticking up in the air, making it look like you are balancing on an ice cube.
One should try to be creative and think outside the box. For example, if you are standing next to a tree, you can make the impression that it is snowing on you.
People Also Ask
Can You Use DSLR In Snow?
Modern DSLR cameras can withstand cold weather conditions. However, ensure to keep the camera warm during winter. Simply bag it after use.
How Do You Adjust White Balance For Snow Pictures?
Commonly, people use Auto White Balance (AWB) to take photos in the snow. AWB does a good job of adjusting for the different light temperatures and makes it easy to take pictures with accurate colors. But if you want to make adjustments yourself, you can do so by changing your camera settings and manually adjusting them.
Why Are My Snow Pictures Coming Out Blue?
The snow pictures are coming out blue because your camera is capturing light that bounces off the snow and reflects your eye. The color of the snow will depend on the color of the sky or ground it is reflecting. If there are no other colors around, then it will be white. To prevent blue snow images, shoot during the day when the lighting condition is bright.