Marty's Blog
Winter Shooting
| 13 August 2009
Hi Everyone I hope you are well.
Winter is upon us here in the southern hemisphere, if you’re in the northern hemisphere stop laughing 13 degrees Celsius is so cold 
. I hope you have been out shooting. If you have done one of the Photography Made Easy Workshops you will know what to look for and how to identify how to find good shots.
The thing with winter shooting is that it can be and often is very uncomfortable but also it is often very rewarding for photography. Some things to consider if it has been raining get out and shoot start to look down notice that you have some great reflections the smallest puddle is as much of a canvas as is a vast landscape. When concentrating on things like reflections “please” first make sure you are safe then get up close to the area you are looking at shooting.
In the Photography Made Easy Workshop here in Melbourne most of you will know that I have shown you “my puddle”. Yes you heard right for those of you that have not done one of my workshops I call it “my puddle” it is in the most unsuspecting place you could imagine and the results are quite spectacular.
Other than reflections we are surrounded by the personality of the season with lush green grass and saturated colours as well as the contrasting stark at times barren cold feel of winter. We also have some fantastic cloud formations, keep in mind if you want to shoot good clouds to add to the winter ambiance make sure there is not to much difference between the brightest part of the cloud and the over all landscape/cityscape/seascape you are in, or you will find you have either an over exposed sky (to bright) or an underexposed landscape/cityscape/seascape (to dark).
If you’re shooting in the snow you will need to shoot and analyse your shooting as you go. In the Photography Made Easy Workshops I teach you how to do this. Shooting in sub zero is truly incredible, it is a world to it’s self. Just one thing, be a little careful. Make sure you have the right clothing, this is critical. I find that layering your clothing works best.
Whilst doing some winter shooting in Germany one day myself and good mate Dani went for a walk over a frozen lake “Lake Konigssee” to get some shot’s at Saint Bartholoma. Hearing on the news first that the lake would be open and “safe” for walking on we decided to do the 15 to 18 km round walk. It was so stunning (and cold) when we got close to the end I started to fall through the ice in one patch. I had to quickly but very carefully take off my camera back pack (about 20kg) slide it away and use my tripod on the ice to spread my body weight to scratch my way out of danger. I have some of the images on my martinbonniciphotography website from that day and have used some of the images in exhibitions and books around the world.
Be observant to your surroundings, winter shooting tends to make us want to get the shot then run in doors. So what do you shoot? Everything and anything. You will find that at times you are just lacking the needed inspiration you think you need, the inspiration is already in you just let yourself connect to it this will happen as you start to shoot. Try this, look at photo’s you like from other photographers think about what they have done don't copy them but come up with your own version. Then just get out in your town and look around say to your self I will come home with at least some images it’s up to you too get out and shoot. I recommend frequent hot chocolate, tea or coffee stops. When you stop in a café just look around you notice your surroundings and check through the shot’s you have taken remember to analyse not criticize what you have done.
Winter is something to enjoy it takes in the transition from Autumn to Winter, then the starkness of mid Winter and finally Winter to Spring, this amazing season show's the river of life and time, it's brilliant so get out there and find what is waiting for you.
