Winter in Calderdale

Winter has truly arrived in Calderdale.

Admittedly, this cold snap isn’t likely to last more than four or five days but it has certainly given us the true experience of a cold winter. It is for me, a blessing and a curse. I’ve managed to take some great snowy photos but given my rehabilitation following my ankle break last summer, it is also a challenge. This is both a physical and mental challenge, in that I’m more cautious about stepping out in snow and ice. I wish it were otherwise and I’m sure I’ll gain confidence the more I push myself.

Photographically, I’ve enjoyed shooting snow, mist and spectacular light. I have used my Nikon Z7ii and also my Pentax K3, which is made for cold, inclement weather. Often, some of my best shots have been from my street or at least, the top of it. The hillside with the tree lines have given me ice old woodland sometimes topped or partially obscured by mist. The sun hits the valley and deep patches of golden light reflect off the snow covered hillside.

The contrast between pure white snow and bright sunlight can be challenging for photographers. There’s always a chance that your images will either come out as very blue or highlights will be blown. Also, snow has a habit of smoothing the details of a landscape. You have to work a little harder to get a decent shot. I try to add features whether they natural or man made to break up the whiteness of the scene. Luckily I live in an area that has both woodland and rocky moorland. I like to use features such as roads or pylons to give a focal point.

The sunrises have also been spectacular with pinks and oranges bursting over the hillsides. I find myself scuttling up to the top of our street, trying to catch the brief moments of intense light. They contrast with the grey/white of the shadows, woods and buildings. I’m trying to embrace this cold winter with all its challenges. I like to see the opportunities and grasp these brief moments in time. I hope you like these photographs as much as I enjoyed taking and editing them.

On The Cusp.

I’m writing this on a dank, grey early December morning. The sky is featureless , light drizzle hangs in the atmosphere and winter has arrived. We generally think of winter being snow covered, crisp and cold. Winters in the UK are more like today as a rule. For the next four months, many days will seem like today. It can be a challenge for a photographer who takes most of his shots outside. It’s not that the weather is so forbidding, more like unappealing. Maybe I’m a lightweight outdoor photographer, easily put off by grey skies and some rain. Christmas is beginning to loom and weight of expectation and frenzy sit in the corner, quietly watching me.

I like Christmas but find it hard to deal with. This will be the first year in my 59 years on this planet, where my mum is no longer with us. My family are spread and my two daughters have new babies. It’s a magical time for many and I do get that. The transformation from autumn to winter is indeterminate. One day it’s bright orange , yellow and brown leaves, brisk cool air ; and the next, cold air, bare trees and grey skies. There is a beauty in a bleak winter landscape and I’ve taken some of my favourite photos at this time of year.

I’m undergoing a sort of seasonal adjustment , one that leads me eventually to think ‘ok, it’s winter now, how do I make the best of it?’ Eventually is maybe the keyword in that last sentence. I’m sure in a day or so, I’ll be more at peace with the familiarity of winter. On the cusp of winter marks change. The run up to Christmas, the realisation that this will be the norm until spring creeps in, is something I think we maybe all experience. It runs deep in our souls however preoccupied, how busy we are. There is some part of us that feels the change of the seasons even if we don’t always acknowledge it.

Give it a couple of weeks and the focus will be on presents, decorations, preparations for the ‘big day’. I will be in organised mode trying to make sure another Christmas can be successfully navigated. A few dry days, some good moody skies and no immediate plans to scupper, will give me that chance to get out with my camera and capture the bleak beauty of December.