The Tao of Snow

Winter, a time of light and shadow, shape and texture, and the contemplation of simplicity.

Between Light and Shadow

New snow and wind are creating new shapes and textures on the landscape.

On A Mission

Animal tracks in the snow seeking the summit?

Still Drifting…

Every time I open Lightroom and see the images in the collection, I can’t help seeing something new.  A little while later, something wonderful emerges.  It’s almost, but not quite enough to make me wish we would get another good snow with wind so I can go out and capture more drifts.

Fluidity

I am constantly amazed by the wonderful fluid and organic shapes nature creates.  When wind and movable particles work together, the results can be absolutely stunning.  Whether walking along a road, a beach or an open field, I feel as though I am walking through the world’s largest art gallery.  Come spring, the exhibition closes and we wait till the following winter to see a whole new exhibit of wonders provided free of charge to the viewer.

The Shape of Snow, Last One…Maybe!

Who knows if I’ll catch sight of another set of snowdrifts as I drive along a road in an open area prone to drifting?  But, I suppose if that happens, and I have a camera, I’ll stop the car and spend time searching for the right combination of light and shadow inherent in snowdrifts everywhere.

Sony RX100 Mk5, ISO 100, 8.8mm, f/2.2, 1/1000 sec.

Silver Efex Pro 2, Preset 032 Film Noir 3, Kodak Tri-X 400TX Pro

The Shape of Snow, Pt. 4

The other aspect of snowdrifts is the opportunity to explore light and shadow.  The shape of the snow as the wind sculpts the form creates soft curves that shapes the light in unique patterns.

Sony RX100 MkV, ISO 100, 8.8mm, f/I2.2, 1/1250 sec

Silver Efex Pro 2, Preset 032 Film Noir 1, Kodak 100 TMAX Pro

The Shape of Snow, Pt. 3

Nature has a knack for forming lovely, organic shapes and this image is a wonderful example of what’s possible when wind and snow work together.

Sony RX100 MkV, ISO 100, 8.8 mm, f/2.2, 1/1000 sec

Silver Efex Pro 2, Preset 037 Pinhole, Kodak 100 TMAX Pro

The Shape of Snow, Pt. 2

Winter seems to lend itself to black and white photography.  Most color has left for the season, leaving only the play of light and shadow on the landscape of mostly white.  It’s at this time I enjoy seeking out the flowing, organic forms of snowdrifts.  With the right lighting, the curves and edges create wonderful abstract forms similar to those found in areas where water and wind have worn the soft rock into amazing shapes.  But, where those took thousands, if not millions, of years to form, these can form in minutes.

Sony RX100MV, ISO 100, 12.2mm, f/2.8, 1/1250 sec

Processed with Silver Efex Pro 2, Preset 031 Film Noir 2, Llford FP4 Plus 125