The first snowfall of the season is one of my favourite times of the year. Everything about it is so magical, from the big, fluffy flakes softly finding their way to the ground, to the cool, invigorating air. The countryside is transformed into a calm winter wonderland, and it feels as though I am in a perpetual snowglobe. I love it all.
Vanguard VEO 3T+ 264CB tripod, Think Tank Mindshift Gear Backlight 26L in Montane Green
We haven’t had a typical winter season in a few years in Southern Quebec. Not only has there been less snow overall, but any significant snowfall has usually been immediately followed by high winds or torrential downpours, knocking all the snow off the trees and turning the world into a giant skating rink.
In other words, photographic opportunities have been scarce, to say the least. It’s kind of hard to capture the essence of a quintessential Canadian winter when it doesn’t really look like one outside, you know?
Think Tank Mindshift Gear Backlight 26L in Montane Green, ILFORD Ortho Plus in 120
With this winter quickly approaching, I’ve been hoping things would be different this time around.
I’ve spent more time than I’m willing to admit staring at weather forecasts, hoping for an early start to the season. My trusty Mamiya RB67 has been loaded up with a roll of ILFORD Ortho Plus, sitting by the door for weeks, just in case I’d get the weather conditions I desperately wanted; a significant snowfall followed by windless conditions.
Finally, the stars aligned, and my patience was rewarded with a perfect snowfall! I felt like the luckiest person in the world out in the woods that day, surrounded by so much beauty, listening to the crunching snow beneath my feet and the chirps of curious chickadees. I couldn’t imagine anywhere else I would have wanted to be.
Vanguard VEO 3T+ 264CB tripod, Think Tank Mindshift Gear Backlight 26L in Montane Green
Sometimes I do find it overwhelming photographing in the woods. It can be pretty chaotic at best, or dull and mundane at worst. I’ve spent many hours hiking and searching for the right subjects, only to end up leaving empty-handed. But the days where everything flows well, the light hits just right, and the subjects shine in all their glory are simply the best, and this particular day was right up there.
There were moments where I found myself ‘embracing the chaos’. Just taking in a scene exactly for what it was and capturing the grandeur of the snow-covered trees. I find the images feel closed-in, but not claustrophobic, giving that winter wonderland look I was hoping for.
Other times I was searching for single subjects to stand out against a soft background. Large, tall trees are usually good for these kinds of compositions, their dark trunks and branches create just enough separation from the rest of the woods, and the snow helps give definition to each individual branch.
I often gravitate to black & white film during the winter months, and in the snow my favourite film to use is ILFORD Ortho Plus. It might seem counter-intuitive to grab a slow speed film on darker days, but Ortho always manages to get the snow the exact perfect shade of white, while other films can make the snow seem muddy or grey, or blow it out completely.
I really enjoy the natural contrast of this film; I get everything from deep blacks to pure white without losing any detail, and a healthy range of grey tones. Ortho also has a delicate grain structure which is characteristic of low speed films, making it a really lovely film to use in many landscape situations.
All in all, it really was a perfect day for photography, and I’m hoping to get more of these this winter. As I’m writing this article, it’s pouring buckets outside, and all the snow has disappeared, which makes me extra happy that I took the time to get out when I did. Motivation doesn’t always come easy, especially in the cold of winter, but I hope this inspires you to get out and create!
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR – JESS HOBBS
Hi! My name is Jess Hobbs, and I am a film photographer living in the Eastern Townships of Quebec. These days I mainly shoot woodland scenes and farmscapes, but I am no stranger to the streets and festivals of Montreal! I also enjoy creating videos for my YouTube channel @jesshobbsphoto about my photographic adventures, and was most recently featured in Ilford’s #MyFilmStory series, which you can watch here! I’m really excited to be joining the PHOTONEWS team, and look forward to giving you a window into my photographic process and journey, wherever it may take me!
Currently based out of the Eastern Townships of Quebec, Jess shoots predominantly with film and focuses on creating images that are both technically sharp and emotionally stirring by exploring subject matter and concepts with deep personal meaning. Presenting the world she sees and lives, her hope is to encourage and motivate others to become more in tune with their own surroundings in a world that is saturated with constant distractions and disposable dreams. It is through her images that Jess copes with change on social, environmental, and personal levels while attempting to preserve pieces of the past.
You can also find her on Instagram and YouTube @jesshobbsphoto.
