How to Photograph Snowflakes

Snowflakes make beautiful subjects for photographs. They are fragile and fascinating. Photographing snowflakes can be unnerving, but with some patience and practice you can create breathtaking photos that amaze you.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Camera
• Snow

1. Choose the setting with the snowflake you wish to photograph. Make sure the snowflake has a contrasting background. Dark woods, colored fabric or any item that contrasts with the white snow work well. Larger snowflakes photograph better than small or bright ones.

2. Get as close as you can to the snowflake. Two inches away is usually a good distance. If you can't get that close, use the camera's zoom feature to view the snowflake up close.

3. Take your photos in the best possible light. Early morning and afternoon provide great light when the sun is at an angle.

4. Hold your camera as steady as possible while taking the photo. Take multiple photos from different angles. This gives you a variety of pictures to choose from.

Tips & Warnings

• Take your photographs on a day when there is no wind.
• Shoot the snowflakes when the weather is extremely cold so the snowflakes don't melt.
• Avoid using a flash as it will cause a glare from the snow.

Resources

• Find everything you need to know about photographing snowflakes at Photo.net.