In landscape photography, we often look for luxurious and royal subjects. The mountains, breathtaking waterfalls, or green forests appeal to powerful and visually. Even more when shot under dramatic light. However, if you want to achieve important images, then in search of the atmosphere that resonated with our state of mind, they are often more helpful than focusing on famous, excellent places.
This is because photography does not include only what we see, but explain it, filter it through our perception, and make the atmosphere the right subject of the picture. Today, I will discuss the art of landscape photography in snow, how it belongs to the atmosphere, and specific suggestions for winter landscape photography.
The atmosphere tells the story of the photographer
In my experience, it is better to focus on the atmosphere as a landscape photographer. It is always a matter of light, colors, colors and sizes – these factors combine to create an atmosphere in a picture.
But do not remember the effects of climate. For example, cold in the mountains and winter in the air, with heavy snowfall, or even a little snow from a gust of wind – you can already imagine the unforgettable atmosphere of such a scene.
Winter snow feelings
An icy, almost monochrome provides a rare atmosphere in winter visual scenario photography. It is very different from sunset screaming hot lights and blue hours of colors.
Snow simply simplifies the view, often makes it at least, such as a charcoal drawing. The immersed and directionless light gives me a sense of peace and calms the chaos of a scenario.
Typically, composing images in these situations is a game of small movements to avoid overlapping subjects, and choosing what to include or exclude what by changing the shooting point or focal length slightly. Sometimes, it is just a patient’s game, waiting for the air to move a slightly to the fog, hide something in the background or reveal something.
Landscape photography is a complex process as a whole, and the results do not always guarantee. However, when you manage to establish a relationship between your inner self and the outside world, you can create very personal images that show how you experienced the landscape. These pictures represent a moment in time; When you take a shot, they reflect the state of your mind and your essence. In this way, those pictures are really unique.
Photography tool is marginal
With all photography, the technical aspects of the picture of the icy landscape are important. You still need to choose your camera settings carefully, and some challenges grow in snow, such as oversexorous and underestimate.
However, in snowy landscape photography, the camera equipment plays a secondary role. Even a trippai can be optional, given how bright ice is. The sharpness of a lens, the absence of deformation, or the use of a high-resolution sensor does not actually affect these images. The ice hides several details, so the major element becomes structure.
I think only the focal length remains of extreme importance. For that reason, I prefer a zoom-24–70 mm, or even better, 24–120 mm or 24–200 mm, as they provide the most useful focal length without the need for lens changes. In some winter landscape, changing lenses are acceptable, but if it is air or icy, it becomes a major challenge.
To clarify this article, I used images taken with a Nikon Z6 + 24–70 mm F/4 in 2019 and the picture that I took last week with Z9 and 24–120mm F/4. It is interesting for me that the similarities between the photographs despite the big difference in the price between the two kits.
In winter conditions, you should focus on humidity. If you bring it from a hot to cold, a lens can put it rapidly in the fog. If it is sufficiently cooled, only breathing will cause the fund, which will build fog, which can be deposited on the lens. Snow and snow can collect in the lens hood and freeze there. I recommend heating microfiber clothes and even a lens if you stay out for a long time. On returning home from the winter landscape, I usually put my equipment in a plastic bag with a moisture-absorbed packet and leave it there overnight.
Location and time are secondary
When the atmosphere is your subject, space becomes secondary than the weather conditions. Even if you don’t travel much, you can find extraordinary subjects and opportunities almost everywhere.
For icy landscape photography, even day time is less important. The ideal light can be available throughout the day. You are certainly not limited to photographing in a few moments on the edge of the day, chasing golden lights or blue hours. This gives you the opportunity to take more time, look, wait, reflect and eventually slow to interpret what you see with more careful composition.
Stay safe and appropriate dress
It is rarely appropriate to keep yourself high in the mountains on the day of bad weather. As I said, it is not about the place, so avoid walking far away from the car, a city or any safe place. If possible, avoid being alone; If you are out of the grid, bring your phone or even better, a GPS communicator.
The appropriate clothes for snowy landscape photography are paramount. I always wear clothes in layers: marino wool on the skin, an untouched layer on it if it is too cool, and open a gor-tex to cover everything. I adjust layers into activity – when hiking upwards, for example, removing or opening the shell.
Do not forget gloves, wool socks, waterproof shoes and a warm cap. Finally, I love a thermos filled with hot drinks!
By dressing properly, it is possible to stay out comfortably even in the position of safe and comfortable winter for several hours. It is that wearing bad clothes can make you unhappy and affect your photos, and you can never want to try icy landscape photography again.
Post-production role
Post-production landscape with soft hands is important in bringing out the atmosphere of photos. This controls the tones while preserving them. And if your landscapes are rigid and filled with snow, it is even more important.
White balance is one of the most important ideas. Should ice be strictly white, or do you want it to reflect the subtle colors of the sky – around the afternoon or around the yaler near the golden hour?
It is also necessary to regulate contrast and brightness. First, the histogram does not necessarily have to fill in black to white. If you add too much contrast, you can very aggressive and out of place to a subtle landscape. But let’s remember that ice, if not white, is very light, so avoid making it gray by underxposed.
conclusion
Landscape photography is not limited to the aesthetics of beautiful places to capture pleasing images. This is a process that involves connecting with nature and expressing your perceptions of your surrounding world. Finding and capturing specific atmosphere allow you to create images that, more than representing a place, tells the story of a special moment in time.
I think snowy winter landscapes work perfectly for landscape photography with this approach. They provide the ability to slow down and compose the photographer carefully. They are stable in some ways and are dynamic in others, such as photographer’s mood. In this way, a good picture of an icy landscape can be a picture of the soul of the photographer.
I hope you find this essay pleasant about capturing emotions with the winter landscape. If you have any question or response, please do not hesitate to leave them down in the comment section.
