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How to work with the low winter sun to capture unique
and magical wildlife images – Ben Hall is your guide
Winter wildlife
Kingdom sees an influx of fascinating
winter visitors such as waxwings, geese
and swans. As temperatures plunge, food
becomes scarce and animals and birds,
emboldened by the need to feed, become
easier to approach. There is a certain special
quality to winter light that is absent at
any other time of year. Now is the time to
brave the cold and explore the beauty of
low-light photography.
Time of day
Although the days are shorter, the sun
remains low enough in the sky to shoot
all day. For the most atmospheric results,
however, concentrate your efforts during
the golden hour. Warm, winter light and
fresh snow or frost can be a magical
combination. It pays to head out early
and scout your location. Look for the
best angle to shoot from and pay carefulattention to the direction of light.
Front lighting will illuminate the subject
evenly, but backlighting will often result
in a far more evocative image and is a
wonderful way of enhancing atmosphere.
The light is much less intense during
winter, and the reduced contrast levels
should make the correct exposure easier
to determine, but it is important to
check your histogram regularly.