Winter Macro Photography: Up Close in the Cold

When I think of macro photography, my mind immediately goes to extreme close-ups of insects and spiders. While my macro field time for those subjects hits a peak between June and August, the winter months bring unique and interesting macro opportunities, too! Winter macro can include hoarfrost, icicles, or some of the most fascinating subjects of all—snowflakes. Each snowflake is like a miniature masterpiece, uniquely intricate and fleeting, providing a wonderful challenge. If you’ve ever seen high-magnification snowflake photos, you already know the beauty of these tiny structures, but how can you capture that beauty for yourself? The perfect snowflake photograph requires the right gear, technique, and a bit of patience. Here’s how you can get started.

Essential Gear for Winter Macro

To start capturing stunning winter macro photos, you'll need the right equipment. Due to advanced features and durability in cold weather, the OM SYSTEM OM-1 Mark II is an excellent choice. Its weather-sealed body ensures that it can handle snowy conditions without compromising performance. The OM-1 Mark II also has convenient in-camera Focus Bracketing and Stacking features to help show every last detail in perfect focus. Pair your camera with a high-quality macro lens like the OM SYSTEM M.Zuiko 90mm F3.5 Macro IS PRO or the 60mm F2.8 Macro lens for incredible close-up detail. These lenses are designed to provide sharp focus and excellent magnification, crucial for capturing minute details.

Additionally, a reliable flash or LED light will illuminate your scene so you can increase shutter speeds, reduce aperture size, and lower ISO. I prefer to use a diffused FL-700WR, but a ring light or a small LED panel can work great as well. Just be careful not to use anything that produces excessive heat which can melt snowflakes prematurely. 

Tips for Photographing Snowflakes

Take Advantage of Low Temperatures

Snowflakes hold their shape best when temperatures are below freezing. In these conditions, the snowflakes are less likely to melt before you capture your dream shot. As with photographing insects or spiders, early morning or late evening—when temperatures are typically lower—can be the best times to shoot. Keep an eye on the weather forecast and be ready to venture out when fresh snow is expected. And don’t forget to carry extra camera and flash batteries, as the cold temperatures can significantly reduce battery life.

Try Focus Stacking

Snowflakes have complex structures which make it challenging to capture every detail in a single shot. While employing smaller apertures will help to increase depth of field, I like to use a technique called Focus Stacking. This is when multiple shots with varied focus are combined into one image to ensure the entire subject is in sharp focus.

The OM-1 Mark II offers two options to make this process far easier than manual methods. The Focus Bracketing feature can be used to capture a series (up to 999 shots) of shots with varied focus that steps back into space, incrementally. You can use PC software like OM Workspace, Photoshop, or Helicon Focus to blend the in-focus areas of each shot. The resulting image will have a greater perceived depth of field and a heightened sense of sharpness. The Focus Stacking feature will take the process one step further by actually blending the in-focus areas right in the camera! With in-camera Focus Stacking, you are limited to 15 shots, but the convenience is unparalleled and the results can be incredible.

Additional Tips for Success

Avoid Condensation

Condensation can form when moving from the cold to warm. To prevent this from happening to your gear, use a sealed plastic bag when transitioning to a warmer setting. Place your gear in the bag before moving indoors. This allows the temperature to equalize gradually and keeps moisture from forming on your lens or camera.

Use a Black Background

A simple black cloth can provide excellent contrast for your snowflake photos. You can store the cloth in a freezer to lower its temperature before you bring it outside to catch your snowflakes. If your cloth gets too covered while shooting, just pick it up and give it a shake.

Focus with Intention

While autofocus can be helpful, manual focus often provides more precision when dealing with such tiny subjects. I love using my camera’s MF Assist function to look closely and ensure that a snowflake is truly in focus. And rather than making adjustments to the focus ring, try gently moving the entire camera in and out until you see perfect focus in the viewfinder.
 

Chris McGinnis is a macro photographer based in Bethlehem, PA. Since 2016, Chris has been getting up close and personal with tiny creatures as he aims to showcase the wonder and beauty of their existence that often go unnoticed.

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