If you are taking a winter vacation, you will want to take photographs. Sometimes the light in the winter can be hard to work with as a photographer. Between the reflection off of the white snow, the difficulty in seeing where the white land ends and the white sky begins, and the earlier setting (and later rising!) of the sun, it can be quite a feat to get a good photo! Here are some tips on getting the best winter vacation photos possible:
- Increase your exposure a notch or two. Usually your camera will do this on its own, but when the backdrop is bright white, it might not be able to compensate. Use the manual setting and try taking a few test shots with different levels of exposure. You will want to choose the one that makes the snow look more white than gray.
- Try using the flash, even during the day. It can make the snow sparkle and lend some interesting effects. Again, experiment and try shots with and without the flash.
- Remember that the cold might drain your batteries. Bring extras along so you don’t run out of juice halfway through your day! If it’s very cold, consider buying a memory card made especially for use in extreme weather. And make sure to keep your camera dry and away from the snow! Also, consider keeping your camera in a sealed plastic bag to avoid condensation from building up on the camera lens when you go in and out o the cold.
- Try taking shots early or late in the day, when the sun is low in the sky. This will create interesting shadows and coloring. Position yourself so the sun is to the left or right of you, not in front of you or behind you. During the middle of the day, the sun should be behind you.
- If you are taking photos of people in action, such as when you go ice skating or skiing, use the “action” setting on your camera. If you want to adjust the camera manually, try experimenting with the shutter speed for action shots.
The photos that you take of your winter vacation will be something to look back on for years to come. Take the time to protect your camera and other equipment from the elements, and have fun playing with the different settings, as photos taken of wintertime backdrops will likely be stunning.
Do you have any tips for great winter vacation photos?
