Breaking the winter photo blues

Ever since moving to Colorado four years ago I look forward to May rolling around because it signals six months of primo photo opportunities in the Rocky Mountains. By the time the snow starts to fly everywhere at the end of October, my photo excusrsion begin to throttle back significantly. But I have the end of the year holidays to keep me occupied from thinking about getting out and taking pics. Invariably the new year rolls around and I start counting the days until May again. I'm really doing myself a disservice not doing some winter photography, but I just can't seem to gather enough inertia to get out there. Its not the cold temps that are holding me back, its like I get this mental block that their isn't anything worth photographing until the world starts to green up again. Seeing all the great pics posted here during the winter proves that's not so. Anyone else get this way? Anyone have any suggestions to help overcome this?

Well,

I moved here from Calif. several years back and the cold 'was' an issue for me which I am still learning to deal with (better clothes do help). But I have found that winter is actually one of the most rewarding seasons once I get out there and witness the Rocky Mountain Majesty covered in snow.

I would recommend started with something more doable and then go from there. Heck from Arvada you have the Flat Irons and RMNP at your doorstep. Even GoGs is not too far away. A lot of great winter shots are taken within close proximity to your car once you get there. Long grueling Winter hikes in the dark and snow aren't always necessary.

One last thing I find especially helpful in the Winter. Try to previsualize the kind of Winter theme shot you are after. Think the process through more. Then go after it. Of course leave room for surprises along the way. But I find that helps when the temps are really low and my brain and fingers are working as good as they normally are.

My 2c anyway as I remember to kick myself out of bed on those cold mornings like today.

I find I need a little more motivation but the opportunities are just as rewarding. Snow makes a great reflector. My biggest handicap is not knowing the mountain backroads in the winter well enough to know where I can get access to. I'm slowly collecting a list of areas that I can drive into for short snowshoe day hikes. I haven't tackled the snow camping bogey yet.

Kalin,

I hear you there especially based on some of the latest posts from Mayflower Gulch (Don and Jesse). I don't even have snowshoes yet. But the beautiful Mayflower winter images I've seen make a real good case for them.

- Derek

The first thing to understand about winter photography is that it's different enough from other seasons to be photography in its own category. Winter is form, texture, elegant light and often monochromatic. IMO, the best way to break a slump is to assign yourself a photo project and work within the project as much as possible. Take color when you can get it, but don't use color as a crutch - or an excuse. How often do you see gorgeous winter images that are just white and blue? I agree that easy access locales are a great way to start and accessibility is likely what keeps people on the sidelines. Loveland Pass, Flatirons, GOTG, RMNP roads are all excellent starting points. Keep in mind that the viewer only cares about the emotional response; not the effort to make the image.

Dave,

I agree with you 100%. Winter really is a call to think outside the box. Sky's or conditions won't always be perfect in the traditional sense as desired during the rest of the year. But that difference can also produce some of the most dramatic looking imagery. Winter themes can range from sublte to very powerful.

One of my favorite jaw dropping images from Marc Adamus' website is more of the later taken in the Winter up in GNP:
http://wildphoto.smugmug.com/gallery/856050#113812014-A-LB

You might try photographing frozen waterfalls. That can be a really interesting photographic subject with lots of possibilities. Boulder Falls is the closest one that is easily accessible. Or, be like Todd, and try to photograph the day of the storm or the day after the storm. Or, be like me, and go to Hawaii or Tahiti .

LOL... Tahiti gets my vote.

That has to be my favorite place to vacation and photograph! And its on the other side of the equator so it is summer down there right now.

Lot's of great suggestions so far. I love to strap on a pair of snowshoes and just go hiking on many of the same trails you'd take in warmer weather. Sometimes I even take a few pictures! Definitely shapes, textures, shadows are the ticket.

One of my most popular photo tours is my "Eagles & Ice" tour (currently sold out, sorry), where I take a group out to Eleven-Mile Canyon. We're basically shooting bald eagles from the vehicles to start with - then once they leave the vicinity of the river around mid-morning, we shoot the ice formations along the South Platte. There are many places where the eagles hang out around Colorado (do a search on this forum). I also lead a beginner's snowshoe tour where we're looking for more intimate landscapes as I mentioned.

As previously mentioned, frozen rivers and waterfalls can make very interesting images. Try using the cloudy or shady white balance settings to counteract the extreme blue cast you'll tend to get in the shaded areas.

Finally, I really enjoy getting out around sunrise following a fresh snowfall. The resulting scenery has a clean, fresh, look you can't get any other time.

Ken

Hey Doug,

Give me a call, come down to the Springs and I'll head down to the Garden or one of the other Parks with you one morning. There is plenty to shoot both around town and in the mountains in the winter.

And try getting up to Loveland pass for sunset or Hoosier Pass for sunrise some time. Both are an easy drive from Denver and open year round.

Mel-

Wow, winter is one of my favorite times to get out and shoot. Mountains just look so much better with snow on them! For me the months from late October to December are kind of bleak unless some early snows come in. I'm constantly checking the forecasts for adequate snowfall accumulations to make it worthwhile, since winter scenics are best if the snow is fresh, and the trees are covered adequately. High moisture content snowfalls are best, because they easily cover the trees. The cold,dry snows have flakes too small to stick to the branches as well.

Roxborough State Park-soo0 close to you and not as overexposed as GOTG or RMNP.

Wow Art,
That is an awesome capture.

One of the best I've seen of Roxborough. That is the kind of snow that Don was referring to that really sticks to the trees. It looks like a real good dump caught the day after the storm.

- Derek

When the first snow flakes fall I grab my camera! I love winter photography! But then I am part polar bear. Here is what I do when I get photo block; Select a single lens. If it is a zoom a single focal length. Give yourself an assignment - ie only shoot blue things. Or select an aperture and don't deviate. Walk your neighborhood and see what you get.
Have a Happy New Year!
John

WOW!!. Thanks for all the great suggestions guys. Sure do appreciate it. Now its up to me to put them to work.

I feel the same way you do Doug, I rarely get out in the winter because I'm usually snowboarding when I should be photographing. Yesterday the area around Copper Mtn was beautiful, frosted trees and blue skies.

I really wanted to be over at Mayflower Gulch!!!