TELEPHOTO DETAILs

Use long lenses to shoot frosty elements

Shooting with a long focal length doesn’t have to mean carrying a hefty lens around with you. It’s possible to capture intimate images with lengths of around 60mm and longer, if you’re fairly close to your subject. This backlit detail shot was captured using the Canon 85mm f/1.2, a short and compact optic that’s perfect for working with the low light of winter (thanks to its wide maximum aperture).

When you’re using a telephoto lens and want to capture seasonal elements, look for patterns and details, such as snowflakes and frosty leaves. Instead of trying to keep your entire scene pin-sharp by setting a narrow aperture – as you probably would for a wider landscape image

– use a wide aperture and throw the background out of focus. Here, the eye is drawn to the magical backlit branches in the foreground, while an f/1.6 aperture renders the trees beyond into an attractive blur.