Last month, we reviewed the technique of using the rule of thirds to create a well-balanced image, which is clearly displayed in this image of a herd of bison heading into a blizzard captured by Tracy Kerestesh. But also evident in this image is the use of depth of field. This photographic technique simply means the distance between the closest and furthest objects in a photo to bring the viewer's attention to a specific area. This technique can be achieved by adjusting your aperture size. The wider the aperture (smaller f-number f/1.4 to f/4), the shallower the depth of field. Photographers can also adjust their depth of field by changing their focus distance or switching the focal length of their lens. When you are out shooting next, experiment by changing your depth of field to see if you can achieve different visuals and test how blurring or sharpening objects can enhance an image. 
 

Photos of the Week for the month of December 

 

Other photos we featured in the month of December included a mysterious eagle on a foggy day captured by Amanda Nelson and two bull moose in battle during mating season captured by Lyndon Norman. 

Each Monday, our editors choose a new Photo of the Week to feature as the cover photo on our Facebook and Twitter accounts. We share it on Instagram, too!

Want to see your photo featured? Be sure to join and upload to our Photo Club.
 

#ShareCanGeo
 

We love when you tag us on Instagram using #ShareCanGeo. Here are a few of our recent favourites.

Click on each picture to be brought to the photographer’s Instagram page!

 

Winter photography tips!
 

Winter can be a beautiful time of the year with frozen landscapes, colourful lights, unique weather events and of course, snow. And as the seasons change, new opportunities for photographers arise to capture some compelling images. Picture the winter coats of mammals, snow-capped mountains and perhaps even ice skaters practicing on frozen backyard ponds. But with these new opportunities also comes unique challenges. Below are some quick tips and tricks to help you make the most of your winter photography. 
 

1) Pay attention to shutter speed: Falling snow can create beautiful images, but ensuring your shutter speed is appropriately set with result in captivating photographs. Start with a shutter speed of 1/250 and increase as necessary. In contrast, if you are attempting to capture the northern lights, try using a slower shutter speed (five to 20 seconds) to capture different auroras and their colours. 

2) Keep your batteries warm: Camera batteries drain much faster in the cold, so it's important to not only pack spares, but also ensure they are being kept warm. Try securing batteries in jackets or the front pockets of pants so your body heat can keep them warm. 

3) Adjust the white balance: Altering the white balance can often change an image drastically. And in the winter, it's easy to shoot "too blue" or "too pink". Experiment with the different settings on your camera to see which white balance setting is optimal for you. It can even be useful to upload images to a computer and see how they appear on a larger screen. 

4) Shoot in manual mode: When it comes to troubleshooting common issues with winter photography (over exposed landscapes, incorrect white balance, unclear depth of field, etc.) the best solution is to shoot manually. For some, this setting may require a bit of practice, but once mastered, it will ensure all your images are exactly how you would like them to appear. 

5) Add contrast: With all the snow, it can be easy to capture images that appear all white with little variation. Look for pops of colour to add to your image, such as the red of a cardinal or Christmas lights. These contrasts will help draw the viewer's eye to certain subjects and create a compelling image.