Winter can be cold and dark, but it can also be perhaps the most beautiful time of year. Is there anything better than a crisp winter night with the sky full of stars? Or a tranquil winter morning with undisturbed snow blanketing the ground?

Many people will eagerly await the snow all year, using it as an excuse to let out their inner child. Snapping pictures in the snow can be the perfect way to immortalise the memories and can make for the perfect personalised Christmas card. However, taking photos in the snow can be more complex than it sounds. Check out this guide and take some perfect snow-filled snaps.

Use The Correct Camera Settings

A snow-covered landscape makes for a light and colour balance that you and your camera will not see anywhere else. Modern cameras are not optimised to take pictures in the snow, so you will need to adjust the settings to get the best results.

ISO must be kept low, and you’ll need to play with the white balance to ensure you are getting the right tone in your photo. Using the auto white balance function can give you a good starting point, but you’ll want to continue making some manual adjustments to find the right setting for your particular scene.

Once you’ve got the right settings, you’ll be taking snow photos like a pro in no time. If you’ve got an assortment of snow snaps and are unsure what to do with them, why not compile them into a collection by using a photo book maker?

Look For Contrast

Contrast is a foundational principle of photography. It works to catch the eye and draw in attention. When taking photos in the snow, it can be easy to focus on the endless white expanses and ignore anything that might disturb the tranquillity. However, photos of snow by itself can be rather formless and uninteresting. Using something brighter or darker than the snow as a contrast point can create a striking juxtaposition that will make your photo all the more engaging.

Get There Early

Everyone loves the snow. A snow day will bring everyone outside and the streets will soon be overrun with sledgers, snowball fights, and snowmen. While these can all make for fantastic photographic subjects, if you’re looking for some beautiful shots of freshly fallen, undisturbed snow, you’re going to need to get there before everyone else.

This has the added bonus of you getting to take photographs during what’s known as the golden hour, which is a period shortly after the sun has risen when the light makes for incredible photographs.

Conclusion

The winter can be an incredible time to put your photography skills to the test. The harsh weather and unique lighting can make for tricky photography conditions, but if you manage to pull it off, then the results can be breathtaking. Use the correct settings, focus on capturing contrast, and get to the snow before anyone else to get the perfect winter snap.