10 Amazing Benefits of Shooting in Winter

by | Jan 8, 2016 | Tips & Tricks | 3 comments

Because winter is cold, it’s harder to get outside to take pictures. But have you ever considered these 10 amazing benefits of shooting in the winter?

1. Less people out and about

When it’s cold, fewer people are out and about making it easier to shoot usually-populated places or iconic subjects. You don’t have to wait for people to clear out of the way.

1138_East Glacier-Montana-USA_Canon EOS 40D, 23 mm, 1-30 sec at f - 3.2, ISO 200

2. Less photographers are out taking pictures

In winter, there are fewer photographers out taking pictures so the chances of you getting a unique shot are much higher. Famous overlooks and iconic places are often deserted.

3199_Chicago-Illinois-USA_Canon EOS 5D Mark II, 17 mm, 1-100 sec at f - 10, ISO 200

3. The only way to shoot formations, patterns and textures in ice or frost

These natural phenomenons are only capturable when it’s below freezing outside, which generally only happens in winter.

1890_Lyndeborough-New Hampshire-USA_Canon EOS 5D Mark II, 40 mm, 1-1000 sec at f - 4.0, ISO 200

4. The only way to shoot snow

Winter landscapes look much better when there’s snow on the ground. Especially freshly fallen snow! Look for opportunities when there are clear skies the morning immediately follwing a fresh snow.

4544_Salem-West Virginia-USA_Canon EOS 5D Mark II, 24 mm, 1-100 sec at f - 16, ISO 200

5. Better visibility

With no leaves on the trees, new angles and perspectives might open up that were not possible in the summer.

3571_--_Canon EOS 5D Mark II, 106 mm, 1.0 sec at f - 16, ISO 100

6. Better light

The sun’s lower aspect make for longer golden hours and less direct sunlight in the middle of the day.

3627_Hinsdale-Illinois-USA_Canon EOS 5D Mark II, 111 mm, 1-250 sec at f - 4.0, ISO 100

7. The long nights of winter create a greater chance of fog or mist at dawn

Mist can transform a snowless landscape into a mysterious one.

2853_Salem-West Virginia-USA_Canon EOS 5D Mark II, 55 mm, 1-50 sec at f - 6.3, ISO 400

8. Variety in wildlife photography

Due to migration habits or simply a change in the natural environment, animals make for good subjects in winter.

3743_--_Canon EOS 5D Mark II, 200 mm, 1-250 sec at f - 4.0, ISO 400

9. Better opportunities for B&W photography

In winter, especially with snow on the ground, it’s easier to visualize and capture B&W photos.

3391_Hinsdale-Illinois-USA_Canon EOS 5D Mark II, 32 mm, 1-400 sec at f - 11, ISO 200

10. A new appreciation for color

A colorful object overlooked in summer is a treasure in winter. Also, the contrast of warm, golden-hour light and cold snow in shadow can make for an excellent color combination in winter.

4096_Salem-West Virginia-USA_Canon EOS 5D Mark II, 75 mm, 1-250 sec at f - 4.0, ISO 100

Learning to step out of our comfort zones is a good discipline of life! There may come a time when things more important than photography will call for courageous individuals to step outside of their comfort zones to do great things in unpleasant environments. “And Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, [one of David’s mighty men and] the son of a valiant man, of Kabzeel, who had done many acts, he slew two lionlike men of Moab: he went down also and slew a lion in the midst of a pit in time of snow” (II Samuel 23:20). Who knows when in life we will be called to do difficult things in the “time of snow”.

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3 Comments

  1. Esther

    That’s great! I never thought of all those benefits!

    Reply
  2. James Staddon

    Yeah! I didn’t think there were very many either until I sat down and really took the time to think it through!

    Reply
  3. Rachel

    Good points! Definitely don’t take winter photography for granted. It’s a beautiful season to capture God’s amazing creation! Ps 147:16

    Reply

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