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The Beauty of Winter

Writer's picture: Don ToothakerDon Toothaker

As a photographer, I welcome winter. Yes, winter is cold, restrictive, and uncomfortable, but also unique. It is also beautiful. The cold, snow, and ice of winter transform the landscape into dramatic scenes that can be breathtaking. They are to be appreciated. Growing up in New England, winter was nothing more than another season to have fun and the occasional day off from school. However, once I began to embrace photography, I realized that winter was far more than fun; it was visually captivating. Walking on frozen Pillings Pond, in the dunes at Crane's Beach, or through forested woods, I began to appreciate how different the light, colors, textures, and moods of winter were. Years later, I choose to travel where winter is extra harsh and, therefore, extra beautiful. Here is an image taken last week in Yellowstone National Park. The temperature was 24 degrees below zero when I took this photograph. Ice clung to the trees thickly. Steam from nearby thermal areas drifted into the sky. Early morning light and color danced through the fog and mist. My eyebrows froze. My fingertips hurt. But I was happy. Yes, it was extremely cold, but these conditions make Yellowstone an astonishing destination for dramatic winter images you will be proud of. If you are willing to endure the discomforts of winter, anywhere, you will be rewarded with extraordinary photographs.


Photograph What You Feel


Nikon Z6II

Nikon 100-400mm f5.6s Lens

ISO: 200

APT: f11

EXP: 1/160th of a Freezing Cold Second on a Gitzo Tripod with a BH55 Ballhead



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