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.
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.
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.
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.
5. Better visibility
With no leaves on the trees, new angles and perspectives might open up that were not possible in the summer.
6. Better light
The sun’s lower aspect make for longer golden hours and less direct sunlight in the middle of the day.
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.
8. Variety in wildlife photography
Due to migration habits or simply a change in the natural environment, animals make for good subjects in winter.
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.
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.
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”.
That’s great! I never thought of all those benefits!
Yeah! I didn’t think there were very many either until I sat down and really took the time to think it through!
Good points! Definitely don’t take winter photography for granted. It’s a beautiful season to capture God’s amazing creation! Ps 147:16