Discover how to take wonderful wintertime photos by using correct camera settings and these tips and tricks for snowy fun.

Set your white balance 

winter offers some fabulous light, especially in the morning and late afternoon. But it’s tricky, too. The bright white of snow and ice reflects sunlight, and you end up with too much light in your pictures. This means less detail, less contrast, and washed-out colours.

Turn on your flash: More light may seem like the last thing you need, but the flash actually balances out the light off the snow, filling in darker areas, so you get the picture you want.

Go for contrast and colour 

Winter’s sparse landscapes make great subjects, especially when punctuated with contrasting shapes and colours, such as trees, buildings, animals, or loved ones in bright clothing.

Shooting bright colours against a snowy backdrop makes a vivid winter photo.

Capture winter action 

Skiing, snowboarding, and sledding make great action photos. Get the perfect shot by using:

Action mode: Lets you freeze the action. The camera sets a fast shutter speed to stop action. This mode needs ample light and is best used outdoors in daylight settings.

Video still: Use your camera’s video feature. Then sort through the video frames to find the exact moment for a great shot.

Snowy shots to try 

Winter offers lots of inspiration for photography. Look for these opportunities:

• Make snow sculptures, like snowmen, animals or letters and decorate them.
• Set up still life photos against the snowy backdrop.
• Create close-ups of snow-covered pinecones or a red-breasted robin perched in a tree.
• Capture winter’s patterns, textures, and colours

Winterise your equipment 

Winter weather can be hard on your camera, so follow these pointers to take care of your gear.

• Cold batteries lose power more quickly, so bring spares and keep them warm in a coat/trouser pocket, or have someone hold them.
• Wear thin gloves so that you can still make adjustments on your camera.
• Keep your camera protected from wetness in a waterproof cover or a plastic freezer bag.
• When you come inside from a winter shoot, let your camera warm up slowly (by putting it near a window, for example) to prevent condensation.

Print your winter photos

Print your photos as standard photo prints to put in a photo album, or create your own photo book of winter memories.

Snapfish + Macmillan are working in partnership to raise vital funds. For every greeting card or flat card set sold, Macmillan receive up to 15p.

What did you create on Snapfish? Share it with us on social media! You can tag us with @snapfishie in your photos on Instagram or Facebook or use the hashtag #snapfishie. Don’t forget to follow us on YouTube and Pinterest, too. We love seeing what you create.