Winter Light in Orillia
Old Man Winter finally arrived here in Niagara. He was very late in coming, thanks to El Nino. There are some aspects of this season I truly enjoy – the first snowfall, reading in front of the fire, hearty soups – however, the cold and lack of sunlight get to me. I’m less active than usual.
When I do bundle up and brave the cold, I try to open up to the unique photographic opportunities this season provides. Snow, ice, and bare tree branches simplify the landscape and remind me how everything needs time to rest. Winter is a time of stillness, silence, and solitude.
The symbols of winter can be shown through our photographs, providing prompts for writing.
When ice and snow reach out into the lake.
Just like we need our warm blankets in winter, snow covers the landscape, protecting everything underneath.
Sheathed in Ice
Imagine being encased in ice like this bush. Luckily, it’s dormant branches can withstand the cold. In the meantime, the sunlight interacts with the clear ice to portray elegance.
Finding Colour.
One thing I like to do in winter is to go in search of colour. You’ll always find it somewhere, or if not, an indoor horticultural centre will do the trick.
Solitude and Silence
This park is usually teeming with people in other seasons, but in winter it’s the perfect place for solitude and silence.
Icewine Festival
Here in Canada we have outdoor festivals even in winter to get us outside and with others. The annual Winter Wine Festival is going on right now. This photograph symbolizes to me how the camera always looks both ways.
Signs of Life
Another photo walk I like to take is in search of signs of life peeking through. Here, I found both colour and signs of life.
Shadows
Shadows stand out strongly against the snow, creating beautiful abstracts.
What do you like to photograph in winter?
p.s. The Humble Arts Foundation has put out a call for winter photographs that you can submit online (deadline: January 26th).
Join me on Instagram and share the symbols of winter where you are. Add the hashtag #wintersymbols so I can find you.
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I love the winter; it’s cold and stillness. There’s beauty, color, textures, and so much more out there if we’ll only bundle up and go looking. Your images are all beautiful, but the light in the first one is gorgeous. Thanks for your inspiring post! It should encourage even the faint at heart to spend a little time outside.
I enjoy winter too and a bit of “shunpiking” always helps me shake the winter blues…
http://anewenglandwayfarer.blogspot.com/2016/01/the-gentle-art-of-shunpiking.html
Yes, shunpiking – perfect for winter.
Wonderful contemplative shots – winter’s canvas. I have many months of snow where I live in the Rocky Mountains of CO. I like looking for patches of sunlight on snow and trees laden with pillows of white.
yes!
Beautiful seasonal images, Kim. I love the lighting in that first shot and the splash of colour further down. So many stories to be told through your images! In the winter, I also like to look for lovely rays of light which do us such a lot of good during the shorter days and sometimes grey skies. Now I’m going to check out your links. Thank you!
The light in winter is so different, isn’t it? These comments are making me enjoy winter more.
Inspiring as always, Kim. I love these tiny bursts of colour that can only appear when everything all around is white and frozen. To me they symbolise hope.Thanks.
“tiny bursts of colour” – I like that.
Hi Kim.. Just beautiful. I love my visits here you leave me with so much to ponder and view. Thank you for that. Winter here has been so cold over the last little while.
Stay warm
I’m trying to stay warm, Lisa. Love your images of Chateau Lake Louise.
Im in love with the first image. Stunning view.