How To Shoot In Dark, Winter Light
by Amanda on December 16, 2009
Since moving to Vancouver, I have had to deal with one nasty, ugly problem. Despite its mountains and ocean, its pine trees and snowy fields, its absolute and utter beauty, in the wintery months, Vancouver is one dark city. This is no big deal for most, but for a natural light film photographer like myself, it does cause a few problems. Now, I could very easily just pack up the cameras until next April, but for someone who craves photography, who needs to take photos every day, that is never going to happen.
I’ve never had to deal with this before as Sydney is more sunny than it is rainy and the light there is very easy to come by. This is a whole new learning curve, so rather than just staying inside with a hot chocolate, I’ve decided to find ways to make photography work for me in the dark, winter light. I hope this new school of education for me can be of some help for you with your own photography.
Firstly I need to make a few changes to my usual mode of shooting:
- To think about my equipment (film types, camera types, flash vs no flash, reflectors, light sources, tripod).
- To find different times in the day to shoot.
- To apply my knowledge of Polaroid photography to all photography. I will explain why.
- To shoot things I would never have thought to shoot before i.e. people in the rain, beaches with an overcast sky.
- To accept and find beauty in the dark, winter hues.
- To set up an indoor studio.
- To buy thin, warm gloves and protection for my cameras.
I have to make these changes because I am used to having light pretty much whenever and wherever I want it. I shoot with natural light as I find flash to be too harsh and it really can destroy a photo. The only time I think flash is necessary is when your are shooting indoor portraits and parties with your point and shoot.
In the coming weeks, I am going to offer you my ideas about those points above. Do you have any questions that you would like to share about this kind of photography? I look forward to sharing what I learn with you!
Subscribe to the RSS so you don’t miss coming Winter Light posts.
In the meanwhile, here are a few inspirations from winter photographers on flickr.
Related posts:
I can’t wait for your take on winter light phototraphy! As a rule, I stay far away from flash as well. I’d love to learn more about setting up a humble little indoor studio.
This is a great post – I look forward to hearing your thoughts.
I want to learn how to use flash creatively. I’ve always disliked it but here and there see some really great shots where the photographer has embraced flash, so it can be done!
[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Etsy Polaroid Team, Amanda Gilligan. Amanda Gilligan said: How to Shoot in Winter Light: An ongoing series http://www.mocking-bird.org/blog/2009/12/16/how-to-shoot-in-dark-winter-light/ [...]
I’m really looking forward to this series. I also shoot almost exclusively with natural light, and I’d love to hear your thoughts on making the most of the winter months!
me too.
I look forward to hearing some of your ideas -
thanks for sharing the wealth — i look forward to learning from your tips.
What a great idea. Sometimes I find it better to shoot when it´s a bit overcast, the portrait for example are less contrasty, but yes, for people who love nice light can these short dark days be really frustrating!
I´ve already found a way how to fight the winter gloominess too, you´re right that it´s a good school having to shoot in completely different conditions for a while. I´m looking forward to your new series! :)
K
This is great!
I live in Norway, and it’s only sunlight for 6 hours or so here now. And on cloudy days, it doesn’t even feel like there’s light at all.
I’m a quite new photographer, and I would like to learn more about camera settings, if you want to share. I would like to use the manual setting on my camera more, but I have no idea how to set iso, shutter speed and aperture to adjust to the lack of light.
I want my cameras to reflect the natural light that is there (the small amount of light that is) but my photos end up either too bright or too dark.
Thank you for your advice!
Can’t wait! As a relative re-newcomer (if that makes sense!) to film photography I had almost resigned myself to packing away my beloved Yashica till March and just using digital til then. You may just save me!
[...] now, she’s starting a series on how to photograph in winter light! Other posts or hers are HOW I CREATE DREAMY, FILM LIKE DIGITAL PHOTOS, SO YOU WANT TO BUY A FILM [...]
I am a terrible photographer at the best of times, so I’m really struggling with the limited daylight we have here in the UK. So, hopefully I can pick up some of your tips!
I love doing long exposures on film, and am planning to do some winter beach shots myself here in Ontario! Look forward to seeing what you can do in Vancouver! (I’m originally from BC).
i LOVE your blog =) and even more when you do those photography tips posts. I’ll be checking all of them!
Fabulous! What a great series that not only will be informative, but will give us all something to do and try in the dark months ahead.
One thing I find is that sometimes the sun comes out at random times and I have to jump on those times. My employers are getting used to me rushing out for a quick 5-10 minute photo op when the sun is out. I try and have my digital camera with me all the time, but I think I will have to start carrying my SX70 with me too.
Can’t wait to see where this goes!
i was thinking about the same thing yesterday, Amanda. i live in the middle part of Norway and always complain about the lack of light. or, i do it since i started to take pictures. it is ok for most of the late spring, summer, early autumn days, but in winter, which is very long here, it is dark for the most of time and grey and no sun at all. even if there is some sun in the afernoons the light is so low it gets blocekd by buildings! i think every photographer has some challenges and in my case it is the lack of light (in addition to my shyness to take pictures in public places :P) i figured out i have to do the best of that situation, the light is never going to change, i just have to carry my camera with me and run out if i see some nice light and take some pictures!
i’m looking forward to your tips. it is indeed tricky shooting when it’s so cloudy + overcast.
found my way here through Ashley’s blog. Your polaroids are beautiful, looking forward to reading your thoughts on pnw winter photography.
thank you so much for sharing!