TECHNIQUES

Master the elements to capture the colour, light and atmosphere of minimalist frozen landscapes

Pictured Cold fire Winter landscapes are often defined by certain preconceptions and cliches regarding colour palette and tone. Challenging these can produce stunning shots that leave a lasting impression © Andy Mumford

Winter landscapes are often portrayed as desolate, uninviting places, yet rarely does this detract from their regal nature. There is a visceral element to snowenveloped terrain that stimulates an emotional response beyond the common perception of beauty. From a psychological point of view, human vision is drawn to the brightest or most colourful aspect of a scene, but when devoid of such objects, a landscape can conjure a mix of feelings.

The emptiness of a snow field and frozen mountain range activates a sense of vulnerability in the viewer, but at the same time, can bring about a feeling of peace and tranquillity.

A stretch of ice over a frozen lake can be both ominous and inviting. Snow-dusted forests can signify danger, due to their impenetrable nature, but also seem cosy and protective.

As photographers, we can use these generally universal traits to our advantage when framing and exposing winter landscape images. The winter months provide a unique set of challenges and creative opportunities, so it is helpful to brush up on your photographic skills before the first snow starts to fall, at least in temperate and polar climes.

If you live in a region with less extreme swings in weather, you can still apply the skills learned here to your everyday photography. You can also use this knowledge to emphasise the best qualities of winter, however it manifests itself.

High-key impact Controlled overexposure creates a clean, crisp, wintery shot with a greater focus on the most prominent elements of the season, such as contrast of tone and sparse detail

© Marco Bottigelli/Moment via Getty Images

1. Overexpose

Use Exposure Compensation for corrective and creative reasons

Early on in our photographic career, we learn that snow can wreak havoc with our camera’s auto exposure system. The reflective properties of snow force the camera to underexpose the scene, by attempting to render the white material mid-tone grey.

It is therefore advisable to use Exposure Compensation to bring the exposure back towards the centre, for a more natural image. However, this can also be an opportunity for creativity. Instead of merely aiming for a ‘correct’ exposure, pushing it further can produce a high-key, minimalist image, with a greater focus on contrast and small details.

Keeping an eye on the histogram or highlight alerts for clipping, nudge Exposure Compensation up to around +2/3EV. This really pushes the ‘white-out’ feel of a blizzard and can make a great black-and-white or nearmonochromatic composition.

Pleasing balance Using a lens of greater than 100mm has magnified the main detail of the shot, creating a better symmetry than if a wide-angle optic had been mounted on the camera

© Dana Neibert / The Image Bank via Gettyimages

2. Compress the scene

Bring detail together for a balanced composition

Where colour is in short supply, as is often the case when shooting snow-covered landscapes, it helps to switch your attention to capturing patterns and detail. For example, tree bark contrasting against the white field of snow is a great subject, truly isolating the experience of seeing familiar scene elements in a new way.