The Best Light of the Year is Happening Right Now

Jan 4

It’s early on a Sunday morning here in the Northeastern United States. As I look out the window snow is falling, beautiful white is all around. You know what I’m thinking, “The best light of the year is happening right now”

Winter in the northern hemisphere can feel like a waiting game. We wait for the warmth to return and for the days to stretch out. But for those of us who see the world in monochrome winter is actually the premier season for light.

Because the sun never quite makes it overhead it acts like a giant permanent studio light positioned just off to the side. Here is how to stop complaining about the cold and start using the light.

The Permanent Golden Hour

In July the "good" light lasts for twenty minutes. In January the sun is so low that you can get long dramatic shadows at two o'clock in the afternoon. This low angle creates texture on the ground that simply doesn't exist in the summer. A cobblestone street or a snowy path becomes a masterclass in highlights and shadows because the light is hitting them from the side rather than the top.

The Gift of High Contrast

Winter light is often "harder" and crisper. When that light hits a subject it creates a sharp line between what is seen and what is hidden. In monochrome this is our playground. Use this to your advantage by exposing for the highlights. Let the shadows go completely black. This creates that "noir" feeling that defines some of the best street photography.

Using the "Gray" Days

We get a lot of overcast days in the winter. Instead of seeing this as "bad" light see it as a massive softbox. Flat gray light is actually perfect for intimate portraits or for capturing fine details and textures that would be blown out by a bright sun. It is a quiet light. It is a contemplative light.

Shooting Through the Elements

Don't be afraid of the rain or the snow. A wet sidewalk is a mirror. A snow covered field is a blank canvas that simplifies your composition instantly. When you strip away the color snow becomes a pure white space that allows your subject to pop with incredible intensity.