COLD SNAPS
TIPS FOR WINTER LANDSCAPE PHOTOGRAPHY
Winter brings the opportunity to head to Australia’s snow country – or possibly even New Zealand – to take on the challenges of photography in the snow and ice, but both you and your camera gear need to be prepared for the conditions.
There are quite a few parts of southern Australia that experience frosty conditions and the occasional fall of snow, but if you want a guarantee of the white stuff then your best bet is head for either the Victorian or NSW snowfields anytime from June to September. You don’t necessarily have to go to the ski resorts – although there will be plenty of action shots to be had here – as snow falls regularly all along the ranges (otherwise appropriately as the Snowy Mountains) from late autumn to early spring and there are plenty of quieter locations and trails to explore with your camera.
A landscape changes completely when it’s blanketed in snow and it takes on magical properties; obliterating many details, softening shapes and eliminating almost all colours to create monochromatic scenes. Low grey clouds and mist add to the atmosphere while in sunny conditions everything sparkles and the crisp, clean, cold air adds an edge to the lighting. The sun is lower in the sky during winter which creates longer shadows, accentuating the smooth forms created by deep snow, while the warmer light of a sunrise or sunset – especially if there are clouds in the sky that are also catching the colour – contrast dramatically with the white-covered landforms. Frozen water can be equally photogenic, creating interesting patterns and shapes along the edges of flowing creaks, or turning small dams or lakes into icy still-life studies. Be Prepared
Preparation is a key part of photographing in snowy conditions and it starts by keeping an eye on the weather reports because nothing beats a fresh snowfall. All evidence of human or animal activity is obliterated and the branches of trees – even the thinner ones – carry a dusting of snow which adds another element of contrast. Once the wind gets up – or the temperature rises a little – this will soon be gone, while footsteps or tyre tracks will start to spoil expanses of pristine snow. An overnight snowfall is the perfect excuse to get up before dawn and head to a location where you can make the most of a sunrise over a cold and still landscape.
Another important bit of planning is to recce these potential locations so you can not only work out what the light will be doing and, subsequently, the best spots to shoot from; but also the access routes, any possible hazards and just how much time it will take to get into place and set-up. It’s always easy to underestimate these last two points especially when working in subzero temperatures and, if you’re shooting a sunrise, you’ll likely be on the move in the dark so take into account that you’ll be walking more slowly and carefully than in daylight. If driving is involved then you’ll need to appreciate that access roads and tracks will also be covered in fresh snow and may also be icy. However, it’s really worth being ready to shoot well ahead of the sunrise because the blues and purples of the predawn light can be equally dramatic as the red and oranges that will come later, as they really enhance the impression of coldness and stillness.
Australians mostly know how to deal with hot weather and arid landscapes, but the snow country in winter can be equally dangerous if you’re unprepared for the conditions and not carry the right equipment for your personal well-being and safety. If you’re planning to camp overnight, then your tent and sleeping bag must be suitable for snow and subzero temperatures, and you should make sure that your itinerary is known by others – especially the time you plan to return – or, if you’re in a national park, it must be lodged with park authorities. Many parts of Snowy Mountains range in particular, don’t have mobile phone coverage so it will be necessary to carry a personal emergency
Australians mostly know how to deal with hot weather and arid landscapes, but the snow country in winter can be equally dangerous if you’re unprepared for the conditions.”