5 tips from a photographer for successful action photos in winter
As a leading provider of high-quality photo products, ifolor has teamed up with photographer Tom Malecha to compile tips on how to take fantastic pictures in winter that immortalise wonderful moments and are optimally exposed. With a few tricks, you can perfectly capture the atmosphere during carefree outings on the toboggan run or ski slope with your smartphone.
1. Burst mode: capture action in continuous shots
The right timing is crucial for action photos. Most smartphones have a burst mode or continuous shooting mode: pictures of skiing, tobogganing or snowboarding in continuous shooting mode capture every precious moment: turns, jumps and safe landings in the sparkling snow. First focus on the subject and trigger burst mode. The smartphone captures the movement in rapid succession.
‘Burst mode is a real game changer for action shots,’ says Tom Malecha, photographer and founder of the Zurich-based video and photo production company “Filme für Draussen”. He appreciates continuous shooting because it allows him to select the perfect image later: the ‘moment when everything is right - the pose, the dynamics, the expression.’
2. Adjust exposure settings for photos in the snow
Light snow can easily mislead the automatic exposure of your mobile phone camera. There is a simple solution to this: tap on the display and call up the exposure settings. Then reduce the brightness level manually until the snow looks natural. On some smartphones, you can even lock the exposure settings. This is particularly useful if you want to take more pictures in the snow.
‘The biggest problem with winter photography is that the cameras' automatic exposure tends to underexpose. [...] My tip: I actually always overexpose by 2/3 aperture. This brings the brightness and details in the snow back into the picture and ensures that the scene shines as it does in reality,’ recommends Tom Malecha.
3. Take dynamic pictures with ‘Live Photos’
The ‘Live Photos’ function is ideal for taking beautiful winter photos: You can use it to perfectly capture falling snowflakes or a snowball in flight. This gives your photos special drama and dynamism. With Live Photos on the iPhone, you can record a short video sequence in the 1.5 seconds before and after a shot.
‘Live Photos gives you the opportunity to select the perfect moment afterwards. This is a great approach for Instagram and the like,’ says Tom Malecha. However, many smartphone cameras reduce the resolution in live mode, which is why such images are often not suitable for printing.
4. Apply the ‘rule of thirds’ for appealing image compositions
Good composition makes your photos even more appealing, and taking photos in the snow is no exception. Tom Malecha: ‘The rule of thirds is a simple trick to make images look more harmonious. Mentally divide the image into three horizontal and three vertical sections. Position your subject - for example a person or a detail such as a snowman - at the intersections of these lines. This draws the viewer's attention to the essentials.’
Many smartphones have a practical grid function for this. Simply align your subject with the intersections of the grid to create a pleasing composition.
5. Photograph high-contrast scenes in HDR mode
Pictures of snowy landscapes are particularly attractive: dark trees and rocks form a beautiful contrast to the glistening light-coloured snow. For high-contrast images, use HDR mode, which stands for ‘High Dynamic Range’. This mode equalises extreme differences in brightness by combining several exposures into one image. With HDR mode, the details in both the darker and brighter areas are more recognisable, making your subject appear well-lit and vibrant.
‘HDR mode is perfect if you have extreme contrasts in the image - for example, a snowy landscape with a deep blue sky or in the shade of trees. HDR is ideal for static subjects such as winter landscapes.’ According to Tom Malecha, this mode prevents the sky from being overexposed.
With these tips, you can take dynamic action photos in winter and magical pictures of snowy landscapes. Thanks to smartphones, it is now easy to spontaneously capture the beautiful winter atmosphere or the fast movements on the piste or in deep snow - from a cheerful snowball fight to elegant slalom turns and acrobatic freeriding. Immortalise these carefree moments in a photo book and indulge in beautiful memories. Photo books from ifolor offer you many templates and designs. If you like, you can design your own layouts to perfectly showcase your photos.
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About ifolor
ifolor brings unforgettable moments to life in personalised photo products. Our range includes high-quality products such as photo books, photo calendars, photo greeting cards, wall decorations, photo gifts and photos. As a family business founded in 1961, we combine tradition with innovation and have been a climate-conscious business since 2012. ifolor is active in numerous countries, employs around 250 people and generates annual sales of around CHF 100 million. We manufacture our popular photo products in Kreuzlingen, Switzerland: http://www.ifolor.de/
About Tom Malecha
Tom Malecha is a photographer and founder of ‘Filme von Draussen’, a video and photo production company based in Zurich that specialises entirely in outdoor, sport and tourism. His clients include brands such as Vaude, Bächli Bergsport and Switzerland Tourism.
Website: www.filme-von-draussen.ch
Instagram: www.instagram.com/filmevondraussen
