If you’re anything like me, you’ve probably been less motivated to get out and about with your camera over the winter months. Seasonal funk affects many visual creatives, as the cold, windy, and wet days keep us indoors. Waking up to a dull, flat, grey day does little to help with the motivation. The good news is that spring is here, and it’s time to get out with your camera. A change in season is the best time to invigorate or reignite your creative side. With the return of good light comes new spring growth, significant wildlife activity, and people getting out and about enjoying the day. Regardless of your preferred photography genre, spring gives you a fresh perspective and the opportunity to try new genres. Even writing about it inspires me to get out and hunt for light. You don’t always have to travel far to make the most of all that spring delivers. The evidence of the change in season is as close as your backyard. Let’s pop a strap on that camera, take a stroll, and see what spring has to offer photographers.
Change In Season - Change In Perspective
There’s no greater change than the one mother nature delivers as winter turns to spring. Depending on your location, morning frost, snow, and clouds are quickly replaced by golden sunrise, warmer air, and the promise of finer days. I’ve noticed a significant change in the quality of light throughout the day. Seeing golden light stream through the windows first thing in the morning is like a tonic to lift creative spirits. Getting out and about with a photographer’s eye, you’ll notice that scenes now have more depth as the play between light and shadow stands in starker contrast. Regardless of being in an urban or remote setting, vegetation blooms, and with that comes compelling compositions brimming with life. It’s time to pack a camera and head out on some light-seeking adventures.
A Spring In My Step
There’s no denying that winter's end is a welcome relief for many. In the past couple of weeks, I've noticed more people are out enjoying the finer weather. As a street photographer, it’s a game changer to document such a contrasting seasonal change and how others interact with their world. People are happier and lift their heads to greet the warming sun. What’s more, with the sun still relatively low to the horizon, the light falls in shafts across urban landscapes. Seeing people go about their day and walk into and out of shadow creates powerful imagery. The golden light makes everything shine a little brighter with punchier colour and gorgeous skin tones. Let’s not forget the benefits and impacts of extra sunlight throughout the day. Being out in the world with the warm sun on my back significantly improves my mood and overall mental well-being.
All That Spring Offers
Of course, not everyone is waiting for spring to take up street photography again! So, let’s look at some of the photography genres to make the most of the finer weather. Landscape photography is one of the best genres for making the most of spring weather. The colour and depth of the landscape quickly change from flat and barren to lush and green. Fields team with new growth springing from the ground to add interest and detail. Rolling hills covered in every shade of green stretch into the distance. Wildlife welcomes the new season with new life and activity. Combining these elements with golden sunrises or sunsets is a landscape photographer's dream opportunity.
If you love the vibrant world of flowers, Spring is the best time to explore it, even if you start in your backyard. Visit local parks, botanical gardens, nature reserves, and even a farmer’s market to capture stunning images of floral displays. Some regional areas host floral events, with vast fields of flowers glowing in the spring sunlight.
Another significant spring photography opportunity is to capture the increased activity among the birds and the bees. Spring is a time for rebirth and rejuvenation that increases wildlife and insect activity. Chances are, while exploring your local botanical garden, you’ll see stunning displays of birdlife and creepy crawlies. As a result, spring is an excellent time to have a go at briding or macro photography.
The last spring photography genre on our list is natural light portraiture. With the improved quality of light—especially at the start and end of the day—natural light portraiture is a breeze. Spring is a great time to shoot environmental portraits outside with natural foliage as a backdrop. It’s also the perfect time to master indoor portraiture with light streaming through windows.
Begin Your Spring Photography Project Today
Don’t put off getting out and about with your camera any longer. You’ve already been in a creative hibernation long enough. Spring represents renewed life, rebirth, and growth. It’s time to adopt those concepts into your creative processes and see the change in season as an opportunity to try something new. If you’re typically a landscape photographer, borrow a macro lens from a friend, get down low, and explore your backyard. If you love the idea of photographing fields of flowers, organize a day trip with a group of photography mates. The most important part of making the most of spring photography is to explore as much as possible. I’m trying to make it a daily habit to walk out the door with my camera fitted with a Lucky Camera Straps wrist strap. Even just wandering my local inner-city neighborhood gives me opportunities to photograph all that spring offers. Not only am I seeing how the light optimizes compositions, but I’m also gaining the benefit of being active, breathing fresh air, and lightening my mood. I highly recommend it as a cure for the winter blues!
