Photographers are often asked, “what time of year is your favorite time to shoot images?”. For me strangely enough the answer is Winter. For me the cold weather has resonated with me throughout my life. I was born in the middle of an epic snowstorm in Connecticut. I spent all of my childhood experience during some of the best blizzards of the 20th Century. In addition, I graduated from what many call the snowiest university in America. You see, snow and cold and me go way back. I recently set out on a cold photo adventure on the Delaware River and had an amazing experience. Capturing images at this time of year is like no other.  Not only can you capture unique perspectives, you can capture colors that you will never see at any other time of year. I find it quite amazing that when you aim a camera at a cold river, the river almost screams back at you with a rich blue hue. It’s like the water is trying to tell you something.

Blue Ice

Blue Ice

Hole in the River

Hole in the River

I will warn you though. Capturing images in this kind of weather is not for everyone. This particular winter has been especially brutal for many. On this particular day the temperature was 15F with a wind chill around 0. Nothing a few layers of clothing and a good pair of ski gloves can’t solve.

One of my favorite mediums for winter photography is black and white. Winter is by far the best time to use black and white format to help you enhance the stark coldness of the season.

 

Icebergs Ahead!

Icebergs Ahead!

All of the photos you see in this post were done using one of my favorite landscape techniques. High Dynamic Range or HDR. The process involves combining a series of frames together in the same picture and using all of the exposure ranges within each image. It creates quite an amazing look as long as you don’t over do it. As for Winter HDR, just remember you have to set up your camera on a stationary spot and ensure you don’t shake the camera! Easier said than done when Old Man Winter is nipping at you.

 

That is all from Ice Station Zebra. Stay warm

Geese on Ice

Geese on Ice

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