Winter wonders

Make the most of the winter light to capture special scenics, says

Photographing in winter can be challenging, so be prepared before you venture out. Make sure you’re well-equipped with the proper clothing and footwear, plus warm drinks and snacks.

The winter sun can enable you to capture atmospheric shots with mist, fog and reflections from snow or ice. The darker days mean longer exposures, so a tripod is a good thing to carry around with you at this time of year. Adding a shutter release means you can fire off plenty of pre-timed shots while keeping your hands warm.

Five top tips for capturing winter wonderlands

CLOTHING

Wear plenty of layers, with the appropriate footwear, and take warm drinks and food for energy.

TIME OF DAY

Sunrise and sunset are ideal times for capturing atmospheric scenics. On a weather app, confirm when sunrise and sunset will take place.

COMPOSE YOUR SHOT

Snow and ice can produce stunning photographs. See if there are any frozen ponds or lakes in your vicinity. Never go onto the ice itself, and always shoot from solid ground.

THINK MANUAL

Manual focus is key, so turn your camera (and lens) to Manual, and work out what shutter speed you need to enter into your timer.

SHOOT IN RAW

As light changes over time at sunrise and sunset, you will get more control by shooting in raw: then you’ll have more latitude when editing your captures.