snow globe

Winters where I live can be long suffering. Photography has given me a much needed incentive to be out in the elements more often.  This winter I have had fun photographing our snowfalls.  We have plenty of them, so I happen to get a lot of practice...  I love trying to capture the real feel of a storm. Whether is be the massive amounts of flakes that fall in a given moment, or the blustery winds, i want the photo to reflect those elements and give someone the feeling of being right there.  I often say I feel like I live in a snow globe and many of my shots this winter seem to reflect that.  My main tip in photographing snow is to pull the focus in on your lens,  if you leave it on auto it is sure to focus on something large in the background,  like the trees or a person,  but if you put it on manual focus and pull the focus in off the background you will capture those falling flakes giving your photo the effect of a snow globe all shook up. 

How have you pictured winter?  Did you go small and capture the fragile beauty of a single flake?  Did the beauty after an ice storm captivate you? Perhaps some amazing ice patterns caught your eye. Before the snow and cold are all but a memory, share a favorite winter shot here with us all today. 

Comments

[Kristin]

We have had so much snow this winter, as never before. I've never experienced or seen, and I've never shoveled so much snow. There were countless photo opportunities this winter and I had fun taking photos. Falling flakes, or the dazzling white of the snow always provide a challenge. Now I am slowly but in the spring and a riot of color.

http://liundbelle.blogspot.com/2011/01/best-of-week-sun-in-cold-winter.html#links
http://liundbelle.blogspot.com/2011/01/short-trip-part-5.html#links
http://liundbelle.blogspot.com/2011/01/short-trip-part-3.html#links
http://liundbelle.blogspot.com/2011/01/short-holiday-1.html#links
http://liundbelle.blogspot.com/2010/12/blue-heaven-white-fields.html#links
http://liundbelle.blogspot.com/2010/12/sheeps-in-winterworld.html#links

[kristin]

http://www.flickr.com/photos/kkleinrn/5354311386/

There's nothing like the spectacular winter snow of the Utah mountains, we try to escape the city often and get away to the frozen Utah arctic ;) Fortunately, we have a cozy mountain cabin complete with fireplace to warm up in between adventures.

Kristin

[Kristina]

WInter is beautiful, especially when the sky is blue and the sun is shining!!
Two perfect winter days below:
http://le-fabuleux-destin-de.blogspot.com/2010/12/christmas-whiteout.html
http://le-fabuleux-destin-de.blogspot.com/2011/01/home-sweet-home-snowshoehiking-in.html

Have a wonderful day, Kristina

[Trevellion]

We don't have very much snow in the south west of the UK, our winters are just grey and rainy so when there is a frost I am truly motivated to take some photographs. There are signs of spring all around the garden now.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/9970083@N02/5253871625/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/9970083@N02/5405150702/

[Kristin]

Oh, I have already tried to post, but that's gone wrong. I try again.

This year there were a lot of snow here in Bavaria. So much snow I've never seen before. There were so many possibilities, snow, snowflakes and the white landscape photography.

http://liundbelle.blogspot.com/2011/01/best-of-week-sun-in-cold-winter.html#links
http://liundbelle.blogspot.com/2010/12/blue-heaven-white-fields.html#links

[Kyla]

I had so many! But I think these two say "winter" to me the most:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/thekreativelife/5408360617/in/photostream/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/thekreativelife/5408369351/in/photostream/

[Jennifée]

Thanks for the tip on focus! I've been attempting to shoot the stillness and light that follow the snow storm:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/85057042@N00/5384664679/

[atmita]

Wintertime in Amsterdam :-)

http://www.flickr.com/photos/atmita/5274482263/

[Doris]

I love this shot of Winter. The pop of red and blue against the gray snow is beautiful. It really does look like a snow globe. Thanks for the focus tip. We don't get many snow storms in NC so I don't have a lot of experience photographing snow.

I have several Winter snow scenes on my blog from the past year, but this one of my husband is a favorite. I think it captures the fun and excitement that we feel when it snows here. He was clearing the driveway, so he could take me out looking for snow scenes to photograph. I love the happy smile on his face.

http://dorisrudddesigns.wordpress.com/2010/02/18/49-365/

This is one of shots captured that day:
http://dorisrudddesigns.wordpress.com/2010/01/30/30-365/

[Kiersten]

I'm weary of snow already, it just never seems to let up. Thankfully, trying to capture pieces of beauty during the season I struggle with, has kept me sane. I have started looking forward to storms and ice. Here are my faves so far...

http://www.flickr.com/photos/darkangel71/5328696882/in/set-72157625631794469/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/darkangel71/5331402081/in/set-72157625631794469/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/darkangel71/5331384009/in/set-72157625042018751/

[Darlene]

I love your snow globe shot - how all is a blur with the pop of blue and red. Very nice!
I absolutely love doing photos in winter. The light is magic and the storms create such drama.
Here are a few I did this winter:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/whimsicalyearsphotography/5412883583/
http://www.whimsicalyearsphotography.com/blog/2819/winter-engagement-session-maine/
http://www.whimsicalyearsphotography.com/blog/2739/after-the-snow-storm/

[Kathleen O.]

Snow-bound bike - http://www.flickr.com/photos/ko2008/5439746967/

[christine]

I had to travel to see snow. Scroll down to the end of this post:

http://just-travelin-through.blogspot.com/2010/12/these-are-faces.html

[Jill F]

http://fingerontheshutter.wordpress.com/wp-admin/post.php?post=718&action=edit

I've always said I love winter. But, even I am weary of it this year. Looking back at some of my pictures, I am mostly glad it's almost over. So looking forward to photographing spring--I never get tired of flowers

[Beth]

In the tundra that is Boston this winter, we have some truly gnarly icicles!

http://www.flickr.com/photos/14632491@N07/5393825399/in/set-72157625723852448/

[Jill F]

http://fingerontheshutter.com/2011/01/28/799/
Had an oops with the previous comment. This one should work.

[lucy]

How about a winter smile?

http://www.flickr.com/photos/lucyloomis/5346155072

[Puna]

I too love the winters but I am feeling a little weary of it. It's scenes like this that helps get me through.

http://lifesignatures.org/wordpress/2011/02/february-14-yonder-love/

[AnnGeeDee]

We got a coating of ice down here one day and then it went to 75 degrees 2 days later. Crazy! Here's the ice: http://www.flickr.com/photos/anngeedee/5417064014/

[Becky Sue]

Welcome to my garden... http://www.flickr.com/photos/rslaflam/5426445422/

Next time it snows (I truly hope that it doesn't but it's early yet) I will use your tip Thanks!

[ccap]

Spring is still a long way off here in Winnipeg, Canada. Sigh. Chin up I suppose. Here are some of my favorite winter shots from this year:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/betsyblue/5333351433/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/betsyblue/5333355371/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/betsyblue/5359074994/

[Kelly]

the beauty of ice: http://lifeinstamatic.com/eye-candy/winter-lockdown/

trying to see life inside the dormant: http://lifeinstamatic.com/eye-candy/dead-of-winter/

[Amy]

http://www.flickr.com/photos/23668869@N04/5450880738/

This is a shot I took one day when I was trying to find photos for my theme that week which was "Spot of Color". I live in a cold climate that is white and grey 5 months of the year, so color is hard to find. These canoes were a breath of fresh air and the lightly falling snow made it look so serene!

[cara]

Between the snowflakes (http://www.flickr.com/photos/cararosephotos/5372974038/in/set-72157625588794683/), and the snow (http://www.flickr.com/photos/cararosephotos/5399475868/in/set-72157625588794683/)...I was in heaven this year. I lived in New Mexico for the past two winters so having a real winter again was a blast!
Off to look at everyone's posted comments!

[Gail]

I love your photo Kristin...in fact I have truly loved all the snowy, icy photos I linked to through here, There certainly is something very photogenic about winter. If it weren't for my camera I probably would have stayed inside a lot more too so I am very glad to have had it by me,,,pushing me out the door:)
http://www.flickr.com/photos/22733432@N08/5356830599/in/set-72157625741156972/
http://picturingtheyear.blogspot.com/2011/01/snow-storm.html

[C Blore]

This shot is one that I took during one of the many blizzards we've had here in Winnipeg, MB this year.

I think what I love about it is while it may be unremarkable to some, to me it reflects the utter chaos that was going on around it while still holding strong against the storm.

http://winnipegweddingphotographybycoral.blogspot.com/2011/02/winter-blizzard.html

[Mary]

I love your winter shot! It is so expressive of the feeling you get when you stand outside and the snow is really coming down. :)

Here in NJ, we had a major ice storm:

http://dearlittleredhouse.blogspot.com/2011/02/weathering-storm.html

[Jess]

I've never taken so many winter images as this past year. I actually found beauty in the cold snow. We got dumped on pretty hard. Now that it's still cold and the snow is dirty and melting away, I'm searching (unsuccessfully) for buds, birds, ANYTHING. I attached my winter collection that you may have visited. Looking forward to Tracey Clarks new class for much needed inspiration.

http://jessicavescera.blogspot.com/p/january-2011-gallery.html

[Jess]

The real: http://www.flickr.com/photos/theoldnicholsfarm/5240676854/

And the pretty: http://www.flickr.com/photos/theoldnicholsfarm/5213719456/

And the fleeting light: http://www.flickr.com/photos/theoldnicholsfarm/5276044139/

[Karen]

I love this picture!!

[Michelle]

I love your photo!!

I have taken more photos than usual this winter. Here are some of my favs

http://www.flickr.com/photos/29333822@N07/5450508951/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/29333822@N07/5450508833/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/29333822@N07/5448759273/

[Deanna]

Last fall the fog left behind the most amazing hoar frost. It was stunning although these photos do not do it justice at all.

http://anewdayadifferentway.blogspot.com/2011/02/hoar-frost.html

[Shannon Jones]

We have had a cold, snowy, icy winter. I did a post on the last ice storm we got.
http://josiesspot.blogspot.com/2011/02/winter-and-ice-we-are-through.html

[damiec]

I love your snow globe photos. We have had a very cold winter with little precipitation - so I haven't had much opportunity to capture the typical winter beauty shots.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/22487105@N06/5278711250/

[Ellen]

This year....I have been simply amazed at the striking color of cardinals....

http://www.flickr.com/photos/ellenmreed/5346032615/in/photostream/

They are nervous birds, and therefore, sometimes difficult to photograph in a relaxed state....
smiles...

[Diane]

Since winter begins up here in October and continues on to late April or early May, I get plenty of opportunity to capture it. Hard to pick just a couple photos so I'll share a couple more recent ones with you:

Icy patterns:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/27458974@N00/5428926881

Late night snowstorm:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/27458974@N00/5330892459

Looking up:
http://www.dianeschuller.com/blog/2011/01/12/alberta-winter-2/

:~)

[Sandee]

Plenty of opportunity to shoot falling snow here in North Idaho...

http://www.flickr.com/photos/34977978@N05/5321734187/

[Reen]

Not much snow here in Northern Virginia this year but, this was my favorite image so far. I love my son's enthusiasm for the slightest bit of snow...

http://einmehr.blogspot.com/2010_12_01_archive.html

[s.b.Lyngo]

What a wonderful shot. It reminds me of Ezra Kears "The Snowy Day". I always ache for folks living in the cold. I feel I have little to share come winter photography time, Jamaica just isn't cold. Bless.

[Sarah Jane]

I've never been able to get that snow globe feeling to work just right. Kristin, I love that shot.

I don't love the cold, but I do love the patterns that are leftover from it.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/definitepossibilities/5375765640/

and the mounds of snow are fun too.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/definitepossibilities/5450747381/

[Misty]

There are lots of things I like about winter.
Like frosty scenery
http://www.flickr.com/photos/dontforgetthehorse/5368647338/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/dontforgetthehorse/5350155874/in/photostream/

And the crisp light
http://www.flickr.com/photos/dontforgetthehorse/5391843956/in/photostream/

And the fun
http://www.flickr.com/photos/dontforgetthehorse/5322247906/in/photostream/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/dontforgetthehorse/5449285017/in/photostream/

But really, I'm ready for it to be done.

[WorthIt!]

Not much snow is Seattle this year - just gray and wet. So, my winter photography has focused on sunlight (typically captured from my iphone while walking the dog) when its available. Here's on of my recent favorites.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/52055227@N07/5451446322/

[Jessica]

I've had lots of practice photographing the snow this year, too. :) Thanks for the tip; I love "snowglobe" photos.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/goaliej54/5450249274/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/goaliej54/5409058653/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/goaliej54/5377412176/

[s.b.Lyngo]

I meant to type Ezra Keats in the earlier comment. And on second thought I do have an image to share.
http://somethingblu.wordpress.com/2011/02/16/jamaican-winter-a-wish-a-touch-of-light-from-the-rock/

[Brenda]

The snow and ice have been a photographers dream this winter. I like the challenge of finding something interesting to shoot in all that white and gray.

Here is a link to my "Winter Wonderland" gallery:

http://www.gottgraphicsdesign.com/ocmx_gallery/winter-wonderland/

Thanks so much for the focusing tip!

[autumn sun]

i love your photo. it really does feel like a snow globe.
here in the south we don't get much snow but we did get one good one this year and while everyone else is wishing for spring i wouldn't mind another snow before winter is gone.
i try to capture the stillness and quiet and the untouched snow
http://www.flickr.com/photos/autumnsun/5346687674/

[Dani]

So glad wintertime is almost gone! I feel bad for the poor duckies that didn't fly south! Although they didn't seem to mind.

http://www.danileighblog.com/2011/02/16/47365/

[kristina]

Amazingly, even in Houston we've had a few winter days this year:
http://meadowlarkdays.blogspot.com/2011/02/icy-gardens.html

[mosey]

I miss the winter back east (where I'm from originally). This one makes me shiver in the nicest way.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/a-la-mosey/5359191622/

[Edith]

These were taken just before Christmas when the weather took a very snowy turn. Now that everything is very grey the snow seems a very long time ago.


http://www.flickr.com/photos/22616983@N05/5281377476/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/22616983@N05/5281378054/