In most northern U.S. locations, a transition point has been reached by mid-November (if not sooner). Colorful foliage shows are over; the maples, birches, oaks, aspens, and cottonwoods have taken their curtain calls and released the last of their lovely leaves. Landscapes which were awash with fiery color, ostentatiously strutting their stuff only a few short weeks ago, are now more subdued. Quiet.
In New England, this is referred to as stick season: that window between the end of the big foliage show and the first significant snowfall.
The trees are bare. It's getting colder. Hours of daylight are dwindling. Maybe it seems a little stark and dreary outside.
It could be tempting, but avoid the impulse to set your camera aside. There is beauty in every season, and there are many good reasons to continue shooting, both now and throughout the winter.
Momentum
Creative growth requires work. Shooting regularly is fundamental to maintaining forward progress.
Rust Develops Quickly
Out of sight, out of mind. A few weeks quickly becomes a few months. Suddenly it's March and you realize you haven't touched your camera for six months - more than enough time to lose muscle memory.
Advantages of Shorter Days
During the winter months, you can say goodbye to sleep deprivation. Late sunrises and early sunsets feel almost luxurious. Make the most out of an easy schedule. Yes, it's cold, but so what? You can dress for that.
Elbow Room
National parks are significantly less visited over the winter. If you want to get away from crowds, this is the time of year to do it. You won't regret an off-peak visit. Once may be all it takes for you to decide winter is the absolute best time of the year.
Not all national parks remain open year 'round, but most do. In others, you might encounter limited access. Be sure to check ahead.
Unique Opportunities
Far from dull, winter landscapes can be spectacularly beautiful and filled with potential. Scenes otherwise hidden by foliage during the rest of the year are revealed. Snow cover simplifies by reducing - or completely eliminating - distracting elements. The light is softer and more diffused; shadows are longer, creating interesting and dramatic lines. The graceful lines of trees are on full display.
The elements can create eye-catching features like hoar frost, sea smoke, fog, heavy snowfall, and ice. It's often true that the colder it gets, the better the conditions will be.
Storms tend to be more frequent and are often dramatic: before, during and after. On the other end of the spectrum, when high pressure moves in the atmosphere is exceptionally clear.
Winter's vivid, changeable conditions offer great opportunities to make unique images.
Holiday Magic
Natural landscapes aside, there will be plenty of eye candy - coming soon! - as enchanting Christmas light displays begin to appear. Aside from filling everyone but the most ardent Grinch with cheer, these illuminated decorations also make excellent subject matter and provide good opportunities to polish nighttime shooting skills.
Creative Alternatives
Prefer to limit your driving time on slippery roads? There are photographic alternatives close to home, wherever you live, not to mention within your house.
Outside, look for patterns in frozen puddles or explore your yard and/or neighborhood for other smaller, more intimate scenes. You might consider macro subject matter, too - things like ice crystals or individual snowflakes. Inside, you're surrounded by still-life possibilities and limited only by your imagination.
If you live near a botanic garden, there's a good chance they have greenhouses. In addition to permanent installations, there are often special holiday-themed winter shows and/or seasonal displays.
Finally, don't forget architectural interiors. Pay attention. You might discover visually interesting elements in unexpected places next time you run into town.
Training
In spite of your best efforts, you might end up not shooting as frequently as you'd like during the winter months. In that case, try considering this your off-season and approach it the same way athletes approach theirs. You won't find them putting their feet up and completely checking out - either mentally or physically. Certainly rest is incorporated, but athletes also continue to train, working to build foundational strength and make improvements necessary for the next season.
You can do the same.
Look at your camera's owners manual. Is there a function you've never tried? Select one and learn how to become proficient with it.
Are you familiar with all of the newest features Lightroom and Photoshop have introduced? Take some time to go through their tutorials.
Learn something new. Practice something you want to get better at. Continue to think about photography.
In Local News
Four more bears are dead because of humans, this time in Teton County, Idaho. Yet another avoidable situation, and completely senseless. (These were black bears, not grizzlies.)
It occurred last week when Fish & Game killed a mother and her three cubs of the year. Their crime? The animals got into residential trash which, unfortunately, greatly increased the likelihood they'd be habituated to human food sources.
I saw a photograph of the sow rooting through the trash receptacle. It was not bear resistant, which is in violation of a Teton County ordinance. Bears are highly intelligent and have keen senses of smell. If you leave unsecured trash out, they'll find it. These animals were simply doing what any bear would do - especially this time of year when they're trying to pack on pounds before going into hibernation.
Tragically, as is so often the case, the animals paid the ultimate price for human carelessness/stupidity/recklessness (pick one). That homeowner is responsible for four deaths. Unless trash is properly secured, more will follow.
I've been told Teton County does not actively enforce the ordinance. Why put it on the books if it has no teeth?
A lot of people should feel shame and remorse over this. I doubt any of them do.