Visions and Nature Image: Snow Dunes – editors Pick
Posted on March 21, 2013
NatureScapes.NET Landscape Gallery : Editors Pick
Snow DunesLes Pradeaux| Auvergne, France
Some feedback so far:
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Excellent mood. Like it.
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Kristel .Love this, just so delicate, cheers
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I really love this. Beautiful shades and lines.
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Fantastic!…a good eye to spot this!
- Absolutely love everything about this!!!
- Beautifully abstract I love it – in our over populated area the snow just quickly turns into a dirty mush
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Very well seen Kristel, this is great!
Other editors picks so far (2013):
- Wood Anemone – Macro and flower Forum
- Snow waves- Landscape Forum
- Like a frame -Landscapes forum
- Falling snow – Landscapes Forum
- Lake with mist- Landscapes forum
- Abstract gras scene – Macro and flower forum
Snow dunes
Posted on March 17, 2013
by Kristel Schneider
Last Friday I had a nice snowshoe walk in the ‘ Monts du Forez’.
For my photo assignment I wanted to have a second look at the lake from the dam des Pradeaux. The night before it had snowed and the forecast for that Friday was sun with some clouds. When I parked my car at the Col Les Pradeaux (1.196 m altitude) the clouds were still hanging above the Nordic ski slope for the children.
I was hoping for more snow on the trees around the lake than the first time I was there , but unfortunately that side is early in the sun and when I arrived the trees looked green with some powder snow on it, too bad for me. 
The lake was frozen and totally covered with snow, the wind had created some nice snow dunes. I got attracted by the lines and shades.
Balancing in the deep snow I managed to get some lower angle shots.
The sun was nicely reflecting on the top of the dunes, which made it challenging to get details in the bright whiteness of the snow.
I also had to be careful that my tripod did not slide down in the deep snow while I was focusing. It would not be the first time you think that everything is nicely in focus and then, realize that the tripod moved.
Special Winter Photography Tour
Posted on October 29, 2011
Special Winter Photography Tour
featuring Photographers Jeroen Stel and Kristel Schneider
Winter, maybe the most thrilling and challenging photography season. Rough weather conditions combine with beautiful light, high key landscapes and close-ups.
In the winter season, and if Mother Nature allows it, the French spectacular volcano chain in Auvergne wraps in a white blanket of snow. Ideal for all nature lovers, the scenery looks different every day. For us, photographers, winter offers never-ending opportunities to try out a wide variety of landscape shots as light becomes magical at that time of the year.
‘It will be a unique photography experience, as we will travel on snow rackets and dog sleds in the heart of the beautiful Auvergne volcanic countryside’ – Kristel
Winter-shot
Posted on January 4, 2011
First I wish you all a Happy New Year with lots of great photography moments!
Between all these nice dinners and kitchen table talks I took some time to walk in nature to get a fresh nose and capture some winter-shots. One day I was out around 4 PM and the sun was on its way down. Tree branches and grass where covered with ice and snow and the low shadows created a nice atmosphere. I decided to put the tracks from a tractor (?) in the frame to create a ‘eye focus’ lines in the image.
(Canon EOS 5DMark II, 70-200mm at 155, F18, 1/40S, 250ISO, hand held)
Protect your gear in the Winter!
Some tips:
- Keep your batteries warm. The cold can quickly take the energy out of any battery, but warming them up can restore much of their power.
- Warm your camera slowly. When you return to a warm place (your home or car) warm your camera slowly by putting it in a camera bag or zip-lock bag. If you walk into the house with a cold camera, it will instantly become covered with condensation. Anyone who wears glasses will know exactly what I’m talking about.
- Balance ‘the body’ temperature. Although it is tempting to put your camera under your jacket after every shot you take, personally I don’t advice it. Warming and cooling your camera will cause condensation and render your camera unusable. It is easier to brush falling snow off a cold camera as well. Falling snow on a warm camera makes for first a wet, then a frozen mess. And don’t don’t try to blow snow off your camera with your breath it can also freeze.
- Protect your tripod legs. If your tripod legs have no foam or other protection around the legs you can wrap you them with pipe insulation. This makes them easier on the hands in the cold.
Visit Kristels website: click on logo
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