With its piercingly clear skies, clean light and breathtaking colour contrasts, winter is arguably the best season for taking unforgettable photos. Here we take a look at a selection of landscape, portrait and still-life shots that celebrate and showcase the beauty of the bleak mid winter to perfection – and not a Father Christmas or sleigh in sight.
- Heart-shaped, crystallised and delicate; this perfectly frozen leaf shows how to do Christmas glitz in an understated way – a lesson many a department store could learn from.
- The Christmas carol ‘In the Bleak Mid-winter’ comes to mind with this shot. Its stark simplicity is a testament to the unforgiving and impenetrable qualities of the season.
- Blue and yellow are not colours one would traditionally associate with this time of year, yet the way in which the snow is bathed in blue light and the golden sun peeks through the trees creates an unmistakable and unforgettable winter scene.
- Let us not forget that as well as being a time of decay and death in the natural world winter is also a time of rejuvenation. Here we see the first flowers of spring appearing through the snow; a touching composition featuring delicate colour contrast and detail.
- The pure white snow, dark brown trees and bright red house seen here reminds us just how striking a simple tri-colour palette can be when expertly executed.
- The level of detail in this shot is the thing that elevates it from the chintzy to the magical. Note the crystallised effect of the Christmas baubles and the light-reflecting qualities of the tinsel, complete with artfully accentuated camera-flare.
- New York, that quintessential Christmas city, is showcased to dramatic effect in this photograph. This skilful composition foregrounds the snowflakes as opposed to the signature yellow taxi-cabs and shows a city at the mercy of the elements.
- A close-up of holly in pin-sharp focus, contrasting the sharpness of its leaves with its plump, juicy berries.
- A moment of solitude in a crisp setting adds an air of tranquillity to this ghostly winter scene.
- The chalky-blue sky brings a softness and tranquillity to this photograph, softening the undeniable severity of the weather conditions.
- A cute lone squirrel foraging for food makes a brilliant subject for winter photography. Note the miniscule particles of snow on its face; capturing this level of detail takes time, patience and skill.
