Tips For Beauty During the In Between Season

In some places, winter has begun to fade, temperatures are on the rise and signs of the renewal of life with the impending spring can be spotted. That touch of warmth and fresh new life will certainly draw us outdoors after months of hibernating indoors. That period of time between winter's thaw and spring's fresh arrival is sometimes less than magical. Unattractive mud puddles, dirty melting snow, and dried-up dead grasses are not always very photogenic. However, we create memories no matter the season. The following tips will help you continue to capture your everyday moments even when the ground is less than attractive.  

1. Crop in

Details are always beautiful. Cropping in on details during that period of transition between winter and spring is especially helpful to minimize the sometimes unsightly backgrounds during this time. Naturally, a viewer's eye settles on what is in focus within an image. Melting snow or mud puddles will fade into an out-of-focus blur when you crop in and focus on spring detail. Don't be afraid to get up nice and close to all of the beautiful details that can be discovered when seasons change. 

^{ISO 500, 80mm, f4, 1/800SS}

2. Use colour 

Once the snow fades and before the trees begin to leaf out, I find nature is filled with many neutrals. I think this neutral colour palette can be beautiful in and of itself; however, it also makes for the perfect opportunity to introduce a colour pop within your frame. Purposeful use of colour theory will always contribute to a harmonious feeling within an image. The best way you can start using colour intentionally in your images is to reference a colour wheel. Two colours across from each other on a colour wheel yield a very complimentary and aesthetic look. 

^{ISO 250, 165mm, f3.5, 1/1600SS}

3. Use a creative technique

Techniques like freelensing, a creative lens like a tilt-shift or Lensbaby, a prism or copper tube, or even shooting with a wide aperture can all infuse beautiful creativity into an image. If you do not own any of the products I just mentioned, remember that there are many inexpensive ways to experiment with creativity, like shooting through a plastic bag or holding up a piece of bubble wrap or costume jewel at the side of your lens. Creative effects can help draw attention towards your subject and minimize the unsightliness that can sometimes happen during that period of time between seasons. Don't be afraid to experiment a little and get creative.  

^{ISO 320, 105mm, f2.8, 1/2000}

4. Look for opportunities to frame

Framing is a fantastic technique to use when composing an image. Careful use of framing can also block out distracting or unwanted elements in an image, such as unsightly winter leftovers. Keep your eyes open in your environment for the opportunity to frame your scene and hide some of those in-between elements that you'd rather not include in your images. 

Elements like evergreen tree branches are some of my favourite objects to shoot through and create a frame around my subject. Backlit branches on an evergreen glow and the result is often an infusion of pretty sparkle bokeh, which is absolutely something I'm drawn to in my photography. 

^{ISO 400, 98mm, f3.5, 1/640SS}

5. Shoot for a black and white conversion 

Stripping an image of colour and converting it into black and white can very often help draw attention to a subject and minimize unsightly backgrounds that are not yet lush and green. Black and white imagery is beautiful and timeless and, if done correctly, works well during the in-between season. 

If your scene is lighter, dress your subject in clothing that will convert a little darker. If your background is darker, then dress your subject in lighter-coloured clothing. This will help make for a successful conversion. 

^{ISO 400, 50mm, Freelensed, 1/1000SS}

Very soon, the snow will melt, and the grass will begin to turn green. In the meantime, use today's tips to help you capture your beautiful everyday moments during the in-between of the winter and spring seasons.