Snowy Hike: A Photographer's Struggle (and a Nature Lover's Delight)
Things Are Not What They Seem
I love a good snowfall. That soft, fluffy kind that blankets everything. This morning's snowfall was pure magic. I was as giddy (as giddy as someone my age should respectfully become) at all the potential photo opportunities. Unfortunately, though…it didn’t quite turn out that way.
Three or four inches had fallen, and it was still snowing. Everywhere I thought was postcard-perfect. But translating that beauty into a photograph? Tricky.
The snow kept piling up on my camera and I spent a lot of time blowing it off (I could have tucked it away but decided against it). And with the snowfall and everything white, my transition lenses became very dark, so the histogram became my best friend.
And the subject matter? Everything was beautiful, but looked the same…. I desperately searched for pops of color – a few orange leaves, dark water – anything to break up the white. I tried capturing branches, majestic trees and bridges. I even tried some "artsy" shots. Results were…mixed.
The walk, however, was fantastic. The quiet beauty, the fresh air, even the slippery trails – all wonderful. My dog loved it, bounding through the snow.
By the end, I was glad we made the trip and I knew the photos weren't my best, but I captured the day's essence. Sometimes, that's enough.
So, if you're photographing snow (the kind that is soft and sticks to everything) be prepared for a challenge. But also be prepared for an exception walk. Perhaps you’re a better photography than I and if so, this would have been your day. The beauty is worth every struggle, however. And who knows, you might even get lucky on a few good shots.
