Winter seems to be almost over here, again. The snow is slowly melting, and the small patches left will probably be gone by weekend, in those barely around freezing temperatures and sun already higher in the sky. Although it was really cold and unpleasant, I am glad I went out this past Sunday to take few winter pics.

This is one of my favorites from the day. I enjoy how sharp and crisp the branches of the fir tree turned out, the texture created by overlying needles. I like the touch of bright color in branches themselves. And how they are covered in something which looks like snow at some angles, and you see it is ice at others.

Unless you are lucky to live in one of those places which actually got any snow this winter season, you are struggling your own photographic cabin fever. Instead of snow-covered landscape, wherever you look, it is same old brownish remnants of last year’s vegetation. Unless you live in a place with spectacular vistas, like Arches, you cannot see anything worth photographing around. Your continuing lack of inspiration is getting frustrating. Welcome to snowless winter in Midwest. Or Alberta. Or Northern California.
So, what you do?

Let me share with you a few tips which saved my sanity over this season holidays.

Photograph during golden hour

There is not better time to take advantage of Golden hour then winter. It is readily accessible in the morning, before you go to work. Shortly, the sunset will also move to the time when most people get back from work, and it will be possible to catch an image or two before dinner is even served. And the greatest advantage – most mundane subjects can look amazing in the magical, warm light of golden hour. It just transforms the look of everything.

Get close

Most Midwest landscape in late fall (or snowless winter, like now) is not rendering great as sweeping panorama. It will be much easier to create something unique by focusing on “smaller picture”, getting close, photographing details. Leaves, plants, grass, branches can all be turned into delicate fine art prints. Look for patterns and textures. With amazing light (see previous tip) falling on every subject, all those elements will come to life.

Explore

Look for new subjects you have previously not given a second thought. Try “static object” panning while photographing tree trunks to create beautiful abstracts of lines and colors. Look for reflections in unfrozen lakes and rivers. Observe the patterns and colors of clouds in the sky. Use your macro lens to get really close and take a photograph which will make everybody wonder what it is.

For even more ideas, be sure to check out these photographers blog posts: Valerie Jardin’s “Morning light and frost” and “Down on the prairie“, and “Bare branches” by Patty Hankins. These are just few examples of creating beautiful fine art in your neighborhood!

And if you want to read more about finding inspiration around the place you leave, take a look at the wonderful e-book by Stuart Sipahigil “Close to home”.

The links in this post are affiliate links. I was also provided a free review copy of the e-book. See details of our affiliate policy here.

The whole idea of years summary comes from Jim Goldstein, who presented it for the first time in this post on Digital Photography School. It is still not too late to enter your blog in this year’s summary here.

I think I started to develop at least the favorite photographic subject, if not a beginnings of the style. I shot far more around the place I live, and I made a conscious effort to have subjects available. I had a small tomato garden and a bunch of wild flowers on the deck, which kept me occupied most of the summer. Also the number of trips I took, I tried to make each of them a photographic opportunity for some type of subjects.

Establishing myself as nature photographer, please take a look at some of my favorite images from last year. Please leave a comment, if there is something you particularly like. Or dislike.

Favorite flower

Last year, I created a small wildflower garden in front of my house. It made the flower subjects available to me even if had only 15 minutes to photograph on a given day. I created many of my favorite images there, and it was really hard to pick the best.

See more images in flower category.

Favorite wildlife

As much time as I spent photographing flowers, I also had some time to take trips to three large towns around my place. Two of those have large zoo’s – Chicago and St Louis. I could practice the wildlife photography. Among the images I created, trying to exclude all the captivity indicators, this one is my favorite.

See more images in wildlife category.

Favorite landscape

I used to present far more landscape images on the blog in the previous years. Last year, however, I did not have many chances to shoot them. Only the trip to Badlands in May gave me the occasion for real landscape shooting. This image was a result of patient waiting for the weather to break for spectacular sunset.

See more images in landscape category.

Favorite abstract

In contrast to previous one, this image was an outcome of growing frustration. When you cannot beat the weather, and create sharp image on the windy day, try working with what you have. I took the movement of this spring grass to extreme, creating this abstract.

See more images in abstract category.

Favorite HDR

I shoot HDR images on interior or cityscapes usually, where it gives me a chance to open shadows and show details and texture. But this scene just opened up in front of me on a trip to a park this autumn. If I wanted to have star burst and fall foliage in one image, it was the only way to go. Now I am thinking to make a large print for the wall of it. I like it that much.

See more images in HDR category.

Favorite B&W

Compared with previous years, I almost havent’t posted any black and white last year. Something to keep in mind this year. But this scene was the perfect candidate. Great light, and it was all monochrome, all green. Might as well loose the color and focus on the light and form.

See more images in black and white category.

Not an easy task, but having the other post already written, I knew that there are some of my favorite images which did not made the cut. For example, none of my images from documenting life of my tomato garden. I did this long project lasting whole summer, and never looked back at those images. For this challenge, I decided to pick my favorite from over 550 images in the folder. I focused on the rainy day shots, and found one I have not previously posted on blog- although now I think it was the best in the series.