Top tips for taking photos in the snow

David Lee

19.1.2024

Translation: Jessica Johnson-Ferguson

In view of the season, here are the basics in a nutshell on how to make the most of a photo session in a winter wonderland.

First things first, don’t spend hours reading instructions, head out and take pictures! Don’t have the time? Then make time. Busy at work? Take a coffee break. Be cheeky. It’s worth it. And while we’re on the subject of obvious tips: Don’t eat the yellow snow.

Take photos at night

If you never got round to that coffee break, you’ll have to get things done after work. In the city, snow is bright enough even at night. Plus, if the days are grey, this is a good alternative. This doesn’t always require a tripod, either. With a tripod you can achieve higher image quality, but you can’t take snapshots.

Take pictures in RAW format

It’s easier to correct brightness and colour in RAW format than it is with JPEG images. This is particularly important when you’re snapping snow. The camera’s automatic system is often led astray, plus you’re dealing with strong contrasts digital cameras struggle with.

Edit the sky separately

Ever since Lightroom made it so easy to automatically select the sky, I almost always give it a few extra settings. I usually set the white balance cooler than in the rest of the picture and also reduce the brightness and highlights a little more. But it’s best not to overdo it; otherwise things start to look unnatural. Here’s an example with and without a separately edited sky.

Close-ups take time

Fine structures in the snow and ice often look particularly beautiful in close-ups. However, it can be quite tricky to reproduce this beauty and is definitely not a suitable task for that above-mentioned coffee break.

In the micro range, the depth of field is shallow. So if a snow crystal is only a millimetre away from the focus point, it may already be out of focus. This even applies to smartphone cameras, although these generally have more depth of field.

With the aperture closed, you get a little more depth of field, but the sharpness of the lens generally decreases. In low light, there’s also the problem of high ISO values.

A tripod can be helpful, as it allows you to choose the composition and the focus point very carefully. Or even use focus stacking.

So far, I haven’t had the time and/or patience for it. That’s why you’ll have to make do with an example that didn’t involve a tripod.

David Lee

Senior Editor

David.Lee@digitecgalaxus.ch

My interest in IT and writing landed me in tech journalism early on (2000). I want to know how we can use technology without being used. Outside of the office, I’m a keen musician who makes up for lacking talent with excessive enthusiasm.

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