Winter photography needn’t consist solely of desolate landscapes and night-time shots. After all, it’s a time for parties and celebration.
When brandishing your camera on Christmas Day, don’t just shoot standard ‘record’ pictures for the family album. These are important, but you can also experiment with candid shots – try capturing the priceless look on a child’s face as he or she unwraps a long awaited gift.
Posed portraits that have been carefully staged using available light are another effective way to capture the magic of this time of year, and it might be a rare chance to get the whole family together in one picture.
If the weather’s too bad for outdoor expeditions, try some photographic experiments indoors. Use a tripod to eliminate shake and ensure your digital camera is positioned properly, then look for seasonal props to set the scene. A few carefully wrapped gifts, a collection of decorations or the family Christmas tree will all add a festive atmosphere to your shots.
Present opening
Take a few candid shots when they first open their presents but you will probably get better results when they have calmed down a bit. Wait until after breakfast and take some more candid shots when the atmosphere is more relaxed.
The school play
A great place for candid shots but the lighting can be very tricky. You would be well-advised to set a high ISO speed and take lots of shots, weeding out problem shots later.
Snow shooting
If you are lucky enough to get snow this Christmas, it gives you the opportunity for some great winter action shots. Watch out for exposure, otherwise that brilliant white snow will come out as a murky grey in the final image.
Take the Diploma in Photography to learn more about special occasion photography.
