Tips For Capturing That Frosty Morning

Woken up in a winter wonderland? Grab your camera and let's get out there...

Step 1.

Let's set the scene. You've opened the curtains and spotted a stunning sunrise or frosty landscape. Congratulations! First, check your watch: have you got enough time to head out on a proper excursion to your favourite shooting spot, or do you only have a tiny window to hit the back garden? Make a plan and stick to it to make the most of your available hours...

Step 2.

Locate your camera. If you keep a spare battery fully charged, great work - if not, pop your battery on charge while you flip the kettle on and start layering up. A little charge is better than nothing (and it might be worth putting a spare battery on your Christmas list!)

Step 3.

Work out what extra kit you need - which all depends on what you're hoping to shoot. If you're hoping for macro close-ups, do you want to grab a tripod? If you're lucky enough to live close to some stunning landscapes, perhaps a wide-angle lens would be a sensible addition to the bag?

Step 4.

Before you leave, take a few minutes to set up your camera to deal with the snow. If you've got a camera which offers semi-automatic settings like “Winter” or even “Snow” mode, do a few test shots out of your window to see the effect these modes have on the colour of your shot. They're designed to adjust the white balance of your photos so snow and frost stays pure white, not tinted blue or yellow - but the great thing about digital is that you can experiment. Don't be afraid to try out different settings to see which effects you prefer - it's all down to personal taste.

Step 5.

You've got your camera; you've chosen your extra kit, and you've got a hot Thermos of tea in your hand. Great job! Make sure you're wrapped up warm as there could be a lot of standing around, and head out the door to your first assignment: frosty details.

While you're on your way to the spot you've got in mind, check around you for detail shots that would make beautiful canvas prints or Christmas cards. Frost-covered leaves, frozen cobwebs, even the first set of footprints in frosty ground - all of these are ideal subjects for stunning seasonal shots.

If you find a truly stunning frozen leaf, think about setting up a tripod and (if your camera allows) using your phone as a remote trigger for the shot to avoid blurring the shot while working close-up.

Step 6.

When you've reached the frosty scene you want to shoot, be careful where you tread! An accidental footprint can ruin the look of a location. Work round the edges until you've found the angle you want, then set up your camera and tripod, if you need it.

Compose your photo as you would do normally, thinking about the rule of thirds and foreground interest/leading lines. Don't forget to pay close attention to exposure - all those ice crystals reflect a lot of light which can mean you need to adjust your usual settings. Try all sorts of approaches: shooting towards the sun (careful!) to set frosty leaves glowing with backlight, or face your subject at 90° from the direction of sunlight, so you get a sideways look at the beautiful golden glow created by mornings and evenings at this time of year. If you've got space on your memory card, overshoot - these conditions won't last for long, so make the most of them!

Step 7.

Once you're happy that you've captured your frosty morning, pack up and head for home - then get your photos online before the frost ends and join in the fun on Instagram! Check to see what the best hashtags are for winter photos and add them in to get your best work seen far and wide - and don't forget to add #JessopsMoment...