Snow and high winds are forecast for the region for tomorrow. Snowfall amounts from 25 to 30 cm (10 to 12 inches) combined with heavy winds could cause severe drifting.
On Friday. I photographed Pussy Willows in my shirtsleeves. (I was in my shirtsleeves, not the Pussy Willows) Then I photographed a fog bank drifting across the channel and along the beach.
This dichotomy of the Seasons are all consistent with life on the North Atlantic coast. The weather can be mild and sunny one minute and snowing and cold the next. In fact, there is an old joke, “If you don’t like the weather, wait five minutes.
Still, those Pussy Willows offer great hope for one like myself who thrives in summer and shrivels in winter, or as I call it, windter. Yes, with a fresh snowfall, the Spruce trees look Magical, and the longer shadows of windter can create some very dynamic Drama. Storm clouds often create a strong dramatic background for those snow-covered Spruces, and skies reflecting off ice covered ponds become ethereal. Also, ice can contain lines and patterns that make great Abstract Photos.
The last number of years however, have seen great changes in our “normal” climate and often the snow melts within a day or two, leaving the trees bare and unexciting. When Storm Clouds are absent, the skies are either Cobalt Blue or Slate Grey; the drama is missing for days at a time. This means many photo opportunities are lost in drab, boring weather, requiring a Landscape Photographer to be more creative, and to look at the world differently. Again, “when you change the way you look at things, the things you look at change!” Sometimes more than a week goes by between Photo days.
So, when I see Pussy Willows, or leaf buds on the trees, or a few blades of green grass, I get very excited! These all mean that Windter is fading, and Spring will soon yield to Summer; my favourite season.
Summer gives us many things, from green grass and leaves to wildflowers and Colourful sunsets leading to Balmy evenings. The Galactic Core of the Milky Way is more visible and one doesn’t have to dress in 10 kilos of clothes to stand outside and get the Astrophotography shots.
Although Spring is often seen as a season lacking in colour and beauty, it brings with it a number of opportunities as well, such as the previously mentioned Pussy Willows, new flower growth (are we all ready for the Dandelions?) and the unfurling of new leaves on the trees.
Last Spring, while removing some intruding Alders and other types of bushes from the edge of my lawn, I noticed something I had never seen before; red leaf buds on a Maple Tree. Any excuse for a coffee break, I came in to Google the phenomena to discover that there is an indigenous species of Maple known as “Red Maple.” I took my Camera out and with the aid of a stepladder, captured a few images. This year, now that I know they exist, I will keep an eye on their development and see what I can capture with my Canon.
The fact is, no matter what the season, a truly creative Photographer can find interesting subjects in many places. If the landscape is barren and drab, think Macro and get close to a footprint in the sand. Or, take a close-up of the patterns in the bark on a tree. Look around you for inspiration. Perhaps the shot you want to take would be better under different conditions, so look for something else. Or, as many do, sit down and wait. (That’s the hard part for me.) If you’re patient, an opportunity will no doubt present itself, or you’ll see things in a different way. (“When you change the way you look at ….”)
If there is nothing that excites you as a Photographer, try doing something you’ve only read about, such as focus stacking, or HDR. If you have two or more lenses with the same focal length such as a 50 mm Prime and an 18 to 55 Kit lens, try shooting the same scene with the same settings and focal length with different lenses. I recently tried that and was quite surprised at the difference! I must admit, I’m quite fond of my “nifty” 50!
Spring offers another excellent advantage; everything is bare and open. The grasses are flattened by the weight of the winter’s snow, the trees have no leaves thereby making it possible to see through the forest for clearings or unusual land features that could be very dynamic once Summer is in full swing. Spend some time scouting around for scenes that could be excellent under different conditions.
And if all else fails, you’ve had some time in the fresh air and got some exercise too.
Thank you for taking the time to read this. As always, I appreciate your thoughts and comments. Until next week, keep your shutter finger warm and always remember to pack extra batteries.