Ideas for winter photography

This article was translated from Dutch with the help of AI. Read the original.

Now that autumn is lying on the ground rotting away, it can be quite a challenge to find something beautiful to photograph on these dark days. Especially on days when everything seems grey and bleak. The few days of hoarfrost we have had were an early gift.

Were you lucky enough to have some time off and the opportunity to take photos? Then hopefully you managed to capture some beautiful wintry images. If not, you will certainly get another chance. Read on for tips to help you take atmospheric winter photos.

Colour in winter

Faded and withered plants are plentiful in winter. So are fallen leaves. Blown together at random into a palette of unusual shapes and colours. A great subject for the flat-lay technique, for example. A trendy term for photographing something from directly above.

Photographing with a macro lens

Last week, when the world briefly turned white with frost, I photographed faded and withered plants in my garden. To capture them atmospherically, I usually use the following methods:

- Use a macro lens, possibly supplemented with a macro close-up lens, such as the Raynox M-250, which you can clamp onto your lens.

- Use backlighting with a low sun. Preferably filtered through a bush or hedge to create bokeh. In winter, you have a particularly good chance of beautiful soft raking light.

- Use underexposure to create a dark, mysterious atmosphere. These are often places where sun and shade meet. (A low-key image, which creates a dark and exciting picture.)

- Use overexposure for an airy and bright image. For example, photograph the subject against the sky and overexpose by about 2 stops. (A high-key image, which creates a calm and minimalist picture.)

- For some variation, I often use a Lensbaby or a Helios 44M alongside a macro lens. This makes the surroundings around the subject even softer and dreamier.

The colour of the light also largely determines the atmosphere in a photo. The golden hour is known for its beautiful glowing light. In winter, it lasts longer and you also get beautiful raking light compared with the summer months, when the sun is high in the sky.

I usually photograph handheld, because this gives me the most flexibility to play with the light. A small shift of the lens in relation to the subject and background can make a world of difference. The difference between boring and exciting.

I hope I have managed to pass on some of my winter inspiration. Try to get out with your camera during this time of year. Clear your head by focusing on the small wonders around us.

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