Q&A with Bryan Oller
Catching wildlife on the wing is a bonus for your winter photos.
In your opinion/experience, can people capture good winter photos with their phones?
Absolutely! There are tons of camera apps, often available for free, that give you an opportunity to put a personal spin on your creativity. My favorite apps to use during those cold and snowy occasions are TinType and Reflex. These apps will give you a very nostalgic feel for your imagery. They also help you practice composition and composure.
What phone camera settings do you recommend?
Of course, you can use whatever setting you want, but I will often leave my filters as is and occasionally switch to black and white camera mode to capture mood and contrast between light and dark.
How about when using a digital single-lens reflex camera?
As a professional photographer, I can tell you it’s always worth the risk to give your manual settings a try. Avoid automatic functions — it should be about you. And it’s OK to fail. In fact, fail a lot. But never stop trying new things that make your images unique and worth the time and effort to express yourself.
There are many setting you can use. Maybe try a slow shutter speed, low ISO to capture snow streaking across your lens. Or try a higher ISO to freeze those falling snowflakes. It really depends on what you’re trying to capture.
If you’re photographing outdoor Christmas lights and want those rich colors, think low ISO and long exposure. Also, bring a tripod and wear lots of layers. You’ll need them!
What are your favorite local places to take winter photos?
You don’t have to go very far to capture a great winter scene — maybe, just down your street! Some of my favorite winter images have happened in my backyard. Imagine a Steller’s jay with its stunning plumage against the backdrop of tree branches covered in snow.
I like urban winter scenes, but I do like heading up to obscure areas such as Colorado Road 77 outside Lake George. That’s where the South Platte River winds through a beautiful valley. You might capture some wildlife to add to your photo.
I also enjoy Bear Creek Park or North Cheyenne Canyon, where I like to capture Helen Hunt Falls surrounded by snow and ice.
Any particular times of day that are best for those locations?
Think early morning light right after a snowfall. Or evening when the sun is setting, casting that beautiful glow.
Any tips for photographing Santa Claus?
Santa has the best facial expressions. And that beard can’t be beat. Santa always makes for some great photography. I particularly enjoy capturing the look on children’s faces. You never know what’s going to happen, but there’s often a great expression on their faces!
What do you advise for taking photos of holiday gatherings?
Photographing indoors with a DSLR is always tricky. I use a detachable flash and try to bounce the light off the ceiling or a wall to soften the flash. Honestly, there are plenty of great phone cameras that do a great job without a flash. Just think about composition and try to capture real moments that aren’t posed. Those are always the best.
What are your tips for photographing wildlife in winter?
Some of the best places to capture wildlife in the winter, locally, are near the foothills where the deer still roam looking for something to munch on. I would recommend checking out the Crystal Hills area, Garden of the Gods or Red Rocks Canyon. Your chances are pretty good in these locations.
What suggestions do you have for getting kids involved in photography?
If I know kids (and I do, because I have two) they will try anything. But just learning about basic composition and creativity is most important. Kids don’t need a fancy DSLR. I would suggest letting them use your phone like I did and maybe introduce them to something affordable like the Fujifilm Instax Mini 11 Instant Camera. There’s nothing better than seeing your prints instantly happen if you’re a kid.
Bryan Oller caught the photo bug when he was 16 years old, but has been a professional photojournalist since 1998. In addition to working with the Pikes Peak Bulletin through the Colorado Publishing House, he was a staff photographer with The Gazette and has freelanced with several news organizations such as the Associated Press and the Denver Post.