Minimalist Winter Photography

The stark contrast of winter between the white snow and dark skies brings out compositions that wouldn’t be possible in other seasons. If you’re drawn to clean, simple images, this kind of environment offers an opportunity to refine your eye and experiment with composition in new ways.

Coming to you from Andy Mumford, this insightful video captures the beauty of Hokkaido’s winter landscapes. The journey starts at the Shazanbetsu Torii Gate, a shrine on the edge of the ocean. A snowfall overnight transformed the scene, softening the harsh light from the previous day. Mumford explains how dark, heavy skies complement the snow, creating a dramatic atmosphere. He experiments with different angles and exposures, using long shutter speeds to blur the water while keeping the structure sharp. His approach highlights how weather conditions and subtle changes in perspective can make or break an image.

Mumford then moves inland to explore Hokkaido’s rolling hills, searching for single trees and other isolated elements that stand out against the white landscape. He describes how snow simplifies compositions by covering distracting elements, allowing him to focus on shapes and spacing. This is where negative space becomes a powerful tool. By carefully placing subjects in different parts of the frame, he creates balance and interest without clutter. He also plays with focal lengths, sometimes zooming in for tighter crops, other times pulling back to include more context. These small decisions significantly impact the final image.

Working in extreme cold comes with challenges. Hokkaido’s winter temperatures can drop to -20 °C, but with no wind, it’s manageable with proper layering. The region’s strict land-use rules mean compositions are often limited to roadside perspectives, but this also keeps the landscapes pristine, free from footprints and disturbances. Snowfall throughout the day changes the look of scenes in real time, requiring quick adjustments in exposure and shutter speed. Mumford varies his approach depending on whether he wants to freeze individual snowflakes or blur them for a softer effect. Attention to small details, like keeping the lens free of melting snow, ensures clean final images. Check out the video above for the full rundown from Mumford.

And if you really want to dive into landscape photography, check out our latest tutorial, "Photographing the World: Japan II - Discovering Hidden Gems with Elia Locardi!”