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How to: Tamron Pro Tips for Winter Photos
For many people, winter means more time spent enjoying indoor activities while keeping warm. But experienced photographers know that there are all sorts of unique opportunities to capture stunning shots on even the most bitterly cold days. So, bundle up and keep these tips in mind for your winter shoots!
Tip #1) Look for Patterns. With all that snow and ice, winter gives photographers plenty of opportunities to seek out abstract patterns and photograph them. Look for wind-blown snow, newly formed ice, recent snowfalls on natural surfaces, and the way light shines through ice.
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Tip #2) Put Yourself in the Picture. The addition of even a very simple human element like a finger, hand, or boot can create a sense of scale, tell a story, and add more visual interest to the photograph. It can also help viewers see themselves in the photo and thus find it more engaging.
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Tip #3) Ice is Nice. Ice and the variety of creative photo opportunities it offers are by far the best part of winter photography. Set out looking for interesting ice formations to create original photos, and you’ll almost never be disappointed. Just remember to always put safety first – watch out for falling ice chunks and ensure ice is thick enough to hold your weight before walking over it.
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Tip #4) Exposure Compensation. When shooting outside in the winter, all the snow and the sunlight it’s reflecting can often lead to under or over-exposed shots. Use the exposure compensation feature to correct what your camera might think is the correct amount of exposure. For whiter snow, we recommend adding +1 stop of exposure compensation.
Tip #5) Expose for the Animal, not the Snow.When snapping pictures of a winter wildlife scene, we recommend exposing the image for the animal(s) rather than the snow so that the focus is on them and they’re more detailed.
© Masaki Kadono
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Armed with these tips, some Tamron lenses, and a warm winter coat, you should be able to snap some stunning winter photos that really highlight the season.
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