Tips for Photographing Snowflakes
Nothing says Winter like a beautiful, close-up photograph of a snowflake! While the weather might not be cooperating with that dream of a white Christmas for a large portion of the country, I would like to show you the process I go through for capturing a close-up snowflake just like the one I have pictured below in case winter does come around again in the new year!
The Prep
One of the first things I do before an upcoming chance of snow is place a black jacket, blanket, board, or lid outside. You want it to be black, or a dark color in general, so that it will contrast the white snowflake to allow it to stand out later on. The reason I place the object outside ahead of the intended snow chances is so the object can get acclimated to the weather, so when the snowflake lands on it it won't immediately melt. This will give you more time to make sure you have your focus dialed in on that special snowflake to ensure the perfect shot later on.
Items You Will Want (other than your camera)
Tripod - to ensure you minimize shake in your photograph
Wireless Trigger or intervalometer (suggested, but not needed) - to help reduce any outside shake in the photograph
Here are a few examples of intervalometers I used for my various cameras:
Sony A6000 - Click here
Nikon D7000 - Click here
Taking the Image
When it comes to taking the actual image, there really is not too much to it. I tend to set up my tripod overlooking the black object I put down. You can do a few practice shots to make sure the lighting is ideal. I tend to expose around neutral or just a little under neutral, so I don't blow out the snowflake, but that is a personal preference. As for your aperture setting, I recommend playing with it a little bit. For the image below, I was wide open, or my aperture was at the smallest number possible leading to a very shallow depth of field. The other thing you can test is your focus. You can do this by focusing on the design of the fabric or dark surface, or you can find a leaf, piece of grass, or something small like that to use as a test object. I've found that using manual mode works best, but that's personally up to you!
When it comes to finding that special snowflake, I tend to let a few land on the dark object and seeing what I can find. Then I will adjust my tripod and camera focus to that snowflake. The image below I captured with your average 18 to 55 mm kit lens, but I have found you can use anything from a regular kit lens to a zoom lens to a prime lens. The only thing that would change is your distance of the snowflake from your lens/where you set up your tripod.
When you take your first images, don't stop there! It never hurts to take too many photographs, plus, each snowflake is unique. There are 35 different types of snowflakes, with each snowflake different from the next. Yes, no two snowflakes are the same. So you will never have an image that is a carbon copy of the last.
Adding Some Spice to that Snowflake
So you've mastered how to take an average snowflake, and you want to add a little fun/challenge to it? I have a few more ideas to add a little extra to that special snowflake!
Try taking an image of the same snowflake, but from a different angle!
Add a little color to the image! You can do this by bringing a CD with you and shining a light on the CD. You will get a rainbow effect off of the CD that little reflect into the snowflake. I personally have not been able to try this yet, but I have seen it done before and it looks absolutely amazing!
Time for the Next Flakes!
I hope these tips I have provided will help you the next time flakes fly! As always, if you have any further questions or would like a further explanation, don't hesitate to send me an e-mail, support@limitlessproductiongroup.com, or comment on this post below. I would be happy to help! If anyone happens to capture some snowflake photographs, please send them my way!
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