outdoorphotographycanada.com

[Nathalie]

I was wondering how everyone stays motivated in the winter. I love winter and am quite active, but can't seem to be inspired to take photographs. Worst now, that all our lovely snow has disappeared with this dreary rain.

Any suggestions?

[JagFan]

I too, was having a hard time getting motivated to take some pics, but went for a drive to a favourite hiking spot and noticed a bunch of stuff that I wish I had my camera with me for. Now I feel rejuvenated and want to get out shooting, but finding time might be harder.

[WesternGuy]

Nathalie, not sure what part of Ottawa you live in, or how easy it is for you to get out of Ottawa into the country. If you can get to the country parks along the river, or even across the river into the wilds of Quebec, I would bet there are all kinds of things to photograph as Winter exits your part of the country. In the great white West here, Winter is still grasping on as we have had a few centimetres of snow and freezing fog (great for hoar frost) in the last few days.

I guess a lot depends on the type of photography you like to do - I was out a couple of days ago in my own back courtyard experimenting with a macro lens and a few extension tubes to see what kind of images I could get of the hoar frost on the leftover branches and leaves from the fall. It was also a good way to find out how this macro lens and the extension tubes worked - learned a few things. You would be surprised (maybe not) at the geometry you can find in trees when they have no leaves. This is also a good time to get pictures of snow melting - look for drips (drops?) of water coming off trees, rocks and other natural things.

I have one advantage, and that is, on a sunny day (expect a few soon) I can head west to the mountains and get some great landscapes of snow covered mountains. Winter provides a whole new look at the countryside. Find a place where you can photograph the same thing - whatever that thing is - once a month, once a season, whatever and go for it. Find a nature park, maybe along the Ottawa River and take a walk and see what winter scenes it has to offer.

Anyway you get the idea. The other thing I have been doing this winter, taking advantage of the really cold (-20° to -30° C) weather, is to improve my skills in Photoshop and I am about to have a look at a trial download of Lightroom 2 to see if it can be of any additional help in processing my images. I am also learning about RAW images and their editing, and improving my skills in that subject as well.

So, I hope this helps you get some ideas for what you can do in Winter and if it is raining, well all you have to do is keep your equipment dry and that is really not that hard to do.

Cheers,

WesternGuy

[Bluenoser]

When I lived in Ottawa, Apr 08 - Jan 09, I enjoyed walking around town and along the canal, always great for photography. A favourite place of mine though was Frontenac Provincial Park, about 40 KM north of Kingston. It took me about 2 hours to drive there and was well worth it. I would spend entire days down there snowshoeing or just hiking. Countless trails and plenty of wildlife.
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[Nathalie]

All great ideas, thanks. I like landscapes, wildlife and macro photography. So, guess I have to hunt around my backyard for something exciting with my macro lens, hadn't thought of that. I will be going to a few sled dog races as well, so I just have to be imaginative there. Can't always take the same pictures of dogs running like fools! : ))

[petedepeet]

Hi Nathalie,
Two words - Omega Park!
You're not far from Montebello, about 80km or around an hour if the roads are good.

You'll feel like a Paul Burwell or Kelly Funk!


Mon pays ce n'est pas un pays, c'est l'hiver!
-Gilles Vigneault

[Nathalie]

Oooohhh! Great idea! Thanks