Photography Tips & Techniques – Frosty Photos

By Harvey Smart

For this issue’s photo competition, we have chosen the theme ‘Frozen in Time’.

Winter’s frosty embrace provides a great opportunity to get some truly stunning and otherworldly pictures if you’re brave enough to venture out into the cold.

Here are some tips to help you get the most out of this icy landscape.

We are also open to alternative interpretations of the theme, so if you’d rather share an image of a place, building, person, outfit or even a hairstyle which conjures up that feeling of being ‘frozen in time’ we’d love to see those as well!

Unique Perspectives: Experiment with different viewpoints to create striking compositions.

Often, a thin dusting of snow or frost can completely change a landscape.

Try getting high up to show off this serene frozen world.

Get Closer: Ice can form incredibly complex structures and crystals on everyday objects.

Use a macro lens or mode on your phone camera to get up close to see these beautiful creations.

Weather & Mood: Think about the weather and the mood it conveys.

A sunlit frosty landscape can create a feeling of peaceful serenity, while a cold winter fog can create a mood of mystery and uncertainty.

Use this to your advantage when composing your shots.

Lighting Conditions: Daylight in the middle of winter can be a precious resource.

With short days and long nights, you often need to make the most of the conditions you have.

You may have to use longer exposures to compensate for the lack of light.

On those rare sunny days, snow and ice can also reflect the sunlight, which makes getting the correct exposure a challenge.

Finally and most importantly, dress warmly!

Wrap up and protect yourself from the elements. Wear gloves if possible - you’ll have a hard time taking pictures with frozen fingers.

Get out and make the most of the cold!

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