More snow adds another dimension to the possibilities.  In the dead of winter when there’s lots of snow on the ground, a solitary tree or a small group of trees standing in the vastness of snow creates a feeling of isolation in the composition.  Also in winter, when the leaves have fallen off the deciduous trees, there is plenty of detail in the limbs and branches that can be highlighted.

 

In some places in winter the conditions are so extreme that large amounts of snow pile up on trees, creating very unique shapes.  Some may even look like creatures from another world.  If the weather cooperates and provides a crisp blue sky as a backdrop, then the contrast between a snow-covered tree and the sky can be very dramatic.  Here, the trees might not look like trees typically do--with limbs, branches and leaves, but they will give enough of a hint that people will know what they are.

 

Another potential way to look at trees in snow is by emphasizing their shadows on the ground on a sunny day.  In summer, the ground is cluttered with vegetation, but a layer of snow in winter creates a nice palette on which shadows give a feeling of depth and strong graphic appeal.  Including one or more trees in the shot provides perspective, although adding entire trees can take the viewer away from the intended strength of the shadows.

 

One weather condition that can happen at different times of the year is fog.  Photographing trees in a thick fog isolates them from the surroundings, and the mood it brings out can be very relaxing.  A light fog in which surrounding objects can still be seen can also offer a good shooting condition.  One of Ansel Adams’ top prints is of an oak tree shrouded in fog with a low sun coming through in the background.  The thicker the fog for this type of shot, the better, as it helps obscure whatever else is in the viewfinder and puts all the emphasis on the main subject. 

 

Copyright © Andy Long Shadows of trees add a strong graphic element to this different look at trees.

Copyright © Andy Long Fog helps isolate the tree from the background and create mood.

 

Typically, photographers are advised to overexpose fog shots, as fog tends to be lighter in color than a clear day.  While this is true, sometimes you might want to portray a different effect.  This is where bracketing comes in.  Shoot several images on the plus side, but don’t think underexposing is out of the question because this is where it can deepen the mood.  (While the LCD might not provide the best view of your shot, the histogram can be useful in showing if the highlights are blown out.)

 

At any time of year, soft morning or evening light can bring out the texture of some trees.  Coming in tight to emphasize the patterns and textures is another way to try to build a collection of tree shots.  Storm clouds in the background can create a dramatic look at these ever changing parts of nature.  In areas where heavy wind is common, you can detect the prevailing wind direction because any trees that are not in a large group have a definite lean to them that might give you interesting shots.  Whether as a silhouette against a nice background, colorful reflections in water, or buried in snow, trees offer endless possibilities and challenges to you as the photographer to bring their images to life.