How to take winter landscape images

How to Capture the Essence of the Winter like a Pro

Dec 21, 2021

Winter is in full swing here in the Canadian Rocky Mountains. That frigid air has moved in and painted frozen details across the landscape. Cold winds have picked up and polished icy surfaces to an impeccable shine. Winter clouds hang low while snowflakes flitter to their white resting place. 

Winter is beautiful, and her frozen touches can be a photographer's dream. However, winter photography comes with challenges, so before you venture off into the cold tundra of the great outdoors, keep in mind the tips below so that you can successfully capture winter's beauty like a pro! 

1. Preparation is key

A fresh layer of snow has the mountains calling my name as much as it does the next landscape photographer. I'm always excited when I have an opportunity to hop in my truck and head out into the Canadian Rockies' backcountry playground. However, before I can do so, I must be prepared. 

The landscape environment within the Canadian Rockies requires that I check avalanche, weather and road reports, pack adequate winter clothing including chemical or electric hand and feet warmers, gather up numerous layers and outerwear items and bring along with me winter gear like snowshoes and a shovel and plenty of food and warm tea.

As beautiful as landscape photography can be, it's imperative to be prepared for a worst-case scenario. So always keep safety at the forefront of your mind. No image is worth the risk of bodily harm or worse. 

ISO 31, 32mm, f13, 1/20 sec

2. Force yourself to slow down and observe 

After the effort it takes to pack up my winter and safety gear and photography equipment, I find that once I finally arrive at a chosen landscape destination, all I want to do is run with wild abandon, as quickly as I can trudge through waist-deep snow, into that scene and explore winter's intricate designs. 

However, don't let your excitement take over. Slow down and consider how you'd like to photograph a scene before rushing in. If you trample an area with your snowshoes or walk over icy detail with cleats, you could destroy delicate details. 

Stand back and thoughtfully evaluate your scene, only proceeding when you're confident your path will not tread on the artwork created by winter that you might want to include within your frames. 

ISO 100 35mm, f10, 1/25 sec

3. Leave extra time to explore 

Winter often allows a landscape photographer to explore impassable areas that grow thick with vegetation during the summer months or are filled with rushing rivers. Ground cover is resting beneath heaps of snow, and rivers have slowed to a trickle or frozen over in some cases.

Keeping safety in mind, especially around the ice, permit yourself some extra time to explore and look for unique winter locations and features that are only possible during the winter season. 

ISO 100, 16mm, f16, 15 seconds

4. Look for details underneath your feet

I love a grande sweeping landscape scene as much as the next photographer, but details within a landscape scene can be captivating too. Take a moment to observe what is underneath your footpath. Icy treasures can hold viewer attention in a photograph, so don't miss out on these opportunities during the winter months. 

ISO 200, 16mm, f11, 1/250SS 

5. Try a vertical image

Vertical landscape orientations are a favourite of mine, especially during the winter months. These orientations can showcase icy sculpted elements in the foreground of any landscape scene. It's well worth your effort to experiment with camera tilt and proximity to the foreground details as you seek creative winter compositions. 

 

ISO 64 24mm f10 1 sec

Winter is stunning, so be sure to take advantage of this beautiful season where landscape scenes can change daily, offering fresh and unique image opportunities. Keep these tips in mind the next time you venture out into winter landscape so that you can photograph winter like a pro!

 

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