Yesterday, just as I was drifting off to sleep I started thinking about what I would write about for my next blog entry. Various ideas and words floated in and out of my head but I fell asleep before coming to an answer. This morning, when I looked out the window before heading off to work, I got my answer! Snow! Well, seasons in general!
Like I stated in my previous post, I live in a beautiful part of the world, the Rocky Mountain Trench, to be more specific. Now having the mountains as a backdrop is one thing, but LIVING in them is another! Today, while watching the snow drift and pile up outside, I started to think about how photographers have to adapt to their surroundings. Sure if you have a studio, and you’re more a portrait photographer the freezing temperatures or rain storms might not have an impact on your work, but for those of us who use natural light or minimal setups, it’s all part of the process to incorporate whatever Mother Nature decides to throw our way.
When I look back at some of the ridiculous things I’ve done, all in the name of photography and to “get that shot”, the list is pretty long and a lot of it centres around the weather. I’ve strapped on my snowshoes and hiked into the woods for a few hours to get to “the spot” that I needed to use as a backdrop. Frostbitten fingers, numb noses and shoes encrusted in snow and ice may seem like painful side effects of a photography hobby but in the long run they’re really just tiny parts of a longer journey that help to make us not only heartier photographers, but for me, they help me appreciate being warm, having a fireplace to return to, a mug of hot coffee and a cozy pair of socks.
There is something really inspiring about getting out there and really seeing, feeling, experiencing the seasons. Using the changing colours, trees, skies to add depth and relevance to photos. For me, I love seeing how the same space can be transformed from January to December. The same field can be a barren expanse of white, then it can be filled with 6 foot clover and wild flowers before turning into a golden sea of wildgrasses. The natural lighting changes, the tones all change and for me, it’s cool to be able to not only experience it but to capture i and witness the changes through the camera lens.
For me, photography tends to be an organic experience (even if it is digital). It’s about using my surroundings, incorporating as much of the natural world as possible into the photos I want to create and when the seasons change I feel a surge of inspiration in the changes happening in the environment around me. As much as I love the extended shooting hours that summer brings, I love the vivid colours of spring, the warm lighting in autumn and the stillness that winter can bring to an image.
What is your favourite season to shoot in?
Not that we have much in the way of seasons here in Los Angeles, but I like fall and winter, it’s much cooler, and the feel is more moody and dramatic. Puts me in the right frame of mind. Until I can get used to the heat out here in the valley, summers are an indoor shoot fest for me.
Here in México the seasons are not that iconic, we have warm and sunny days even if it’s winter, I’d love to live in a place where I could take photos when it’s snowing, it’s like a dream to me.
As you said, we have to adapt to our surroundings, personally, I love to take pictures of sunsets, or when it’s cloudy or rainy.
Love the post, your new blog, and especially your work. I love to shoot in the fall because it is so fleeting. A few weeks of dynamic oranges, reds, and yellows and then it’s gone. I usually hunker down in the winter because most of my clients don’t want portraits in the cold, however, you’ve inspired my to seek a few snowy slopes, icey branches and frosty lakes this year. It comes a bit slower in the Midwest though. I’ve never tried being my own model:-)
I usually shoot in the studio so I’m not effected much by the weather. For me personally I love the fall! Such beautiful colors and I like the cool touch in the air.
It is neat seeing you photostream change as the year goes on. : )
AUTUMN AUTUMN AUTUMN! I mean just look at the letters of the word. They’re so interestingly arranged, completely portraying the weird intricateness of nature in AUTUMN!
Autumn and Spring! Definitely!! But let’s not forget the gorgeous under water summer shots…and the rainy winter days! Aw well I love them all! You are so lucky to live in such a beautiful place, love your sacrificed work to get those amazing pictures!!! Keep it up!