With Christmas just around the corner and the winter weather in full swing, it’s important to think about the environmental changes affecting your shots.
“The cold weather around this time of year can create some truly special conditions for photographers,” says Alex Bennett, Head of Marketing at specialist camera insurer photoGuard.
“It’s worth putting some preparation into your next outdoor photo shoot to help you make the most of the seasonal weather”, he adds. If you’re looking to elevate your cold-weather Christmas shots, these tips might be for you!”
Use The Unique Winter Lighting
Cold, frosty mornings can make for great shots as the low natural light setting can seem dramatic with a subject in the foreground. Snowy and frosty objects like trees and cobwebs can also make for great shots since they magnificently reflect light into the lens.
Although this can leave your photos underexposed, so it’s usually worth increasing your exposure for a well-rounded shot!
Play Around With Frozen Water
If you’re looking to try new styles of composition, frozen lakes, ponds and puddles can be a great way to start. Refractions on the ice and mirrored reflections can create some beautiful imagery!
Make The Most Of Snow Days
Some of the best Christmas and wintertime photography can only be done in the snowfall. Since in the UK, snow is a rare occasion, it’s important to get out there early if you want to take some untouched powder shots before everyone else catches on!
Turning up the exposure is a great way to emphasise the brilliance of the snow, especially with some brightly coloured subjects in the foreground for contrast. And finally, on those snowy days, while obvious, wrapping up warm is an important step to avoid having to call the session early (proper planning and preparation, etc).
Protect Your Gear
On cold days, it’s always worth making sure your kit is protected. For a snowy/icy shoot, a tripod is a great piece of equipment to steady your hand. Lens cloths and rain covers are also useful on those wetter days. At this time of year with the colder temperatures, camera batteries are likely to drain faster, so having some spare never hurts!
Finally, while the Christmas season is a great time for those special shots, it’s worth thinking about what happens if your equipment gets damaged.
“Cold conditions can make for great photography, but frozen and slippery surfaces can cause the occasional accident. Exploring your insurance options could be worth thinking about over the holidays” closes Bennett.
Find out more tips here