Macro photographer Kristīne Zāle (@macro.viewpoint) likes to work with a shallow depth of field to highlight the beauty in the often-overlooked details of nature. Using her Sony Alpha 7 IV and the legendary Sony 90mm f/2.8 Macro G, she’s mastered the art of capturing the winter season up close. Keep reading as she shares five of her expert tips for winter macro photography, and learn more about the gear she uses in What’s In My Bag: A Single Camera & Lens Kit For Vibrant Macro Photography.
1. Look For Colors
Winter is often dominated by a monochromatic palette of whites, blacks and grays, making it seem like a less colorful season. However, incorporating splashes of color into your photos can transform them into vibrant, eye-catching compositions. Look for colorful subjects like leaves, berries or dried flowers. These pops of color stand out beautifully against the wintery backdrop and can create a striking contrast.
Photo by Kristīne Zāle. Sony Alpha 7 IV. Sony 90mm f/2.8 Macro G. 1/250-sec., f/7.1, ISO 640
2. Check The Weather Forecast
The first snow or frost often coincides with late-blooming flowers, creating a rare opportunity to photograph the meeting of two seasons. Capturing flowers dusted with snow or frost can create unique images that blend summer’s warmth with winter’s chill.
If the night brings fog and freezing temperatures, there's a good chance you’ll wake up to a wonderland of frost-covered leaves, branches and pinecones. These frosty details can elevate your winter macro photography to the next level.
Photo by Kristīne Zāle. Sony Alpha 7 IV. Sony 90mm f/2.8 Macro G. 1/800-sec., f/2.8, ISO 400
3. Keep Your Subject Sharp
When shooting up close, achieving sharp focus on the main subject is crucial. A macro lens will help you capture fine details, but it’s important to pay attention to your settings to ensure the entire subject is in focus.
While shooting with a wide aperture can create stunning background blur, it also narrows the focus plane. To maintain a sharp subject:
Option 1: Increase the f-stop. This provides a deeper focus but will reduce the background blur.
Option 2: Use focus stacking. Capture multiple images with different focus points and blend them during post-processing.
Bonus Tip: If your camera has a focus bracketing feature, like the Sony Alpha 7 IV, use it to automate this process. Use a sturdy tripod so your camera remains steady while doing the work.
Photo by Kristīne Zāle. Sony Alpha 7 IV. Sony 90mm f/2.8 Macro G. 1/250-sec., f/4.5, ISO 640
4. Create Your Own Snowfall
Snowfall adds a magical touch to any winter photo. If it’s snowing, embrace the moment and let nature do the work. But if nature isn't cooperating, you can create a dreamy snowfall effect by tossing snow into the air.
Bonus Tip: Have someone else throw the snow for you, so you can focus on composing the shot without causing a camera shake. For an extra touch of enchantment, try this on a sunny day to capture the sparkle of sunlight filtering through the falling snow.
The photo below is captured using this technique - I combined it from two consecutive images of the falling snow as it did not cover the whole scene simultaneously.
Photo by Kristīne Zāle. Sony Alpha 7 IV. Sony 90mm f/2.8 Macro G. 1/400-sec., f/2.8, ISO 64
5. Create Contrast With Light
Adding contrasting colors to your winter scenes can elevate their visual appeal, and golden hour is the perfect time to do this. During the day, winter landscapes often appear flat and single-toned. However, at sunrise or sunset, the warm yellows and oranges of the golden hour contrast beautifully with the cool blues of the snow. This creates a dynamic and captivating color palette that’s perfect for macro shots.
Photo by Kristīne Zāle. Sony Alpha 7 IV. Sony 90mm f/2.8 Macro G. 1/400-sec., f/2.8, ISO 800
See more of Kristīne Zāle’s work on Instagram @macro.viewpoint and at macroviewpoint.com. Share your own winter macro photography using #SonyAlpha.