This past Monday I went to the Rocky Mountains to take photographs at Lake Louise and some other areas within Banff. In the past, I have engaged in photography during warm weather only.
I learned that winter photography is less forgiving than during the summer. One obvious challenge is the colder temperatures. I took my gloves off and used my exposed fingers to work the camera. After a few minutes, my fingers were surprisingly cold. Another challenge is that the sun hovers low over the horizon during the winter. So, catching the ideal time to photograph an area becomes more difficult, especially in the mountains where the sun has to rise over them.
To create great photographs, a photographer needs to be very picky about the specific time of day within a particular season and weather conditions. In the summer, I typically visit a few locations and get okay photographs. In the winter, that becomes more difficult. Although I went to great locations, the lighting conditions simply did not work. I recall one instance in the early afternoon where the sun was low on the horizon and almost shining directly into the lens. And, in another, the long shadows over the valley detracted from the overall view. So if I go back during the winter or early spring, I will need to visit these locations at better times.
Every photography trip adds to my experience and knowledge. I always come away with some added insight about how I want to approach my next trip. I find photography is much like writing—it takes an inordinate amount of practice to become good.