As fall draws to a close and we head into the colder winter months, the scenery around us shifts for the season. If there is something that you'll miss the most from the warmer weather, what would it be?
Assuming that you live in a location that has seasonal changes both in weather and landscape aesthetic, we're heading into winter, which generally means a few things. It means colder temperatures and generally less abundant nature around us. As we see these changes take place, it presents us with an opportunity to reflect on how we used the other seasons this year and identify things we did well and the things that we'll miss (at least until next year). Ask yourself the simple question: what are you going to miss the most from spring, summer, and fall?
For me, I know that this year, I really enjoyed the blooming flowers from spring and summer. I feel like I was really able to see more and appreciate more the blossoming plant life around me, and I think I was able to incorporate a floral component effectively for a number of different portrait shoots. I'm really proud of some of the work I created this year, and sitting here, reflecting on the spring and summer season I can't help but miss the flowers. As winter creeps upon us and the temperatures begin to drop, I know that I'll be looking forward to next year's bloom with much anticipation.
Having grown up in an area with all four seasons and having relocated to a new location that also experiences them, I know that seasonal changes are something that I probably couldn't do without. As each one begins and ends, it offers us a new opportunity to create changing and evolving artwork. Whether it's landscapes or location portrait sessions, seasonal change brings with it something new every year. We're able to set new goals based on what is available for a given time of year. If blooming mountain flowers are something you really want in the foreground of your landscapes, you know that there is a limited window of time that you'll need to be out there hiking to see them. In my mind, that's a kind of fun pressure that encourages me to get out there and make things happen while they are available.
Where are you from and what seasons do you get to experience? While fall is probably my favorite season (got to love the Halloween vibes), this year, it's the flowers that I'm going to miss and eagerly be looking forward to for next year. If you're from somewhere with limited seasonal change, do you feel that has a positive or negative impact on your work? Is the winter season particularly harsh in your location? If so, how do you go about continuing to create new work through the winter (maybe you shift to more studio work when it's too cold)? Maybe you plan your travels for that exact reason. Do you have somewhere you've been or want to go during a certain time of year? As for this year, what do you think you did well and what is it that you'll be missing until next year?
13 Comments
Nice work. For the winter i'm looking for locations inside and outside. It gets a bit cold here (Belgium; about 0°C today). Working with models one has to take into account their comfort so i think i'll need both to be able to continue over the winter.
Thanks for the comment Dirk :)
I know that winter for me means I will be looking for frosty pine trees. . .I'd really like to try some more black and white landscape images this season
I hope it's a really cold winter because I definitely won't miss seeing so many tattoos! Yes, I'm an old curmudgeon and proudly admit it.
Other than the fact that the majority of tattoos are just terribly executed, what's wrong with tattoos?
I didn't say there was anything wrong with them, I just don't like them. The reasons aren't important. Actually, given the opportunity, I often ask people about their tattoos – their meanings, etc.
I detest Autumn colors because I just find them to be extremely distracting. There's also not too many ways to avoid them since the leaves don't really stay on the trees either.
I think that Winter is tricky. You lose vibrant colors both in nature and in peoples' clothing. When people bundle up, you also tend to lose things like facial features and real differentiation between bodies. When the weather gets cold, there are no leaves on the trees, and everyone is a relatively similar looking bubble man/woman, I have a tendency to veer more towards abstract and minimalist photography. I will try to isolate subjects more often or focus on some of the stuff like cracks in a wall or an interesting shadow that I might be too distracted to notice when there's more going on.
My turn: what about autumn colors is so distracting? I would think a barren tree would make a good abstract/minimalist subject.
It's an unruly mess of color all over the place. At least in Spring and Summer, the colors stay on the plants. In Autumn, it's not just on the plants, but all over the floor like brightly colored litter. It also doesn't help that it's red and yellow (colors that naturally draw the attention of our eyes) so unless you go out of your way to desaturate the color, it automatically competes for attention in your frame by its very presence.
I imagine it's beautiful if you do landscape photography. I don't do landscape photography so I'm not a fan.
I do, or rather try to do, landscape photography. ;-)
I think it would be my favorite time of the year by far if I did landscape photography. :)
"As fall draws to a close and we head into the colder winter months" eh? Speak for yourself. G'day from sunny Australia!
I am definitely going to miss the amount of available sunlight. I still (gracious yet unfortunately) work day hours so most of my shoots are done after work. Being an outdoor portrait photographer, that lack of sun is incredibly annoying.
enjoyed the blooming flowers from spring and summer.the caption and background beautiful. most of the shoot the professional working hand perfect. https://spreeglee.dk