Resorting To Luxury | The Four Seasons of Fine Art
The Four Seasons | Individual Seasonal Fine Art Photography
Those of us fortunate enough to live in, or to travel to various parts of the world with distinct seasonal change, may have a greater appreciation of the natural beauty of the individual seasons. As a nature photographer, I have grown to appreciate the gifts of each season, from the falling snow of winter, to the budding blooms of spring, the alpine meadows of summer and the grand finale that autumn brings. Recently, I have even started returning to locations to photograph them in the same ways, yet months apart.
The Beautiful Cold of Winter
Winter is the coldest season of the year in polar and temperate zones; it does not occur in most of the tropical zone. It occurs after autumn and before spring in each year. Winter is caused by the axis of the Earth in that hemisphere being oriented away from the Sun. Different cultures define different dates as the start of winter, and some use a definition based on weather. When it is winter in the Northern Hemisphere, it is summer in the Southern Hemisphere, and vice versa. In many regions, winter is associated with snow and freezing temperatures.
Winter nature photography is oftentimes a challenge due to a combination of factors including lack of quality light, travel restrictions, the short hours of daylight and the hazards of snow and ice. With these challenges comes the opportunity for unique imagery and well as low competition between photographers. While everyone else is home snuggling up in front of the fire, the most dedicated nature photographers gear up with micro spikes and down coats to brave the winter weather.
The Promise of Spring
Spring, also known as springtime, is one of the four temperate seasons, succeeding winter and preceding summer. There are various technical definitions of spring, but local usage of the term varies according to local climate, cultures and customs. At the spring (or vernal) equinox, days and nights are approximately twelve hours long, with daytime length increasing and nighttime length decreasing as the season progresses.
Spring is a season of renewal, change and of hope. Combined with the beauty of colorful flowers and the fresh greens of new growth, the lengthening days and the warm spring rains usher in new opportunities and new life. For photographers who have just spent the past few months mostly indoors, the beginning of spring also brings excitement for new adventures and new stories to tell through the lenses of our cameras.
Summer on My Mind
Summer is the hottest of the four temperate seasons, falling after spring and before autumn. At or around the summer solstice (about 3 days before Midsummer Day), the earliest sunrise and latest sunset occurs, the days are longest and the nights are shortest, with day length decreasing as the season progresses after the solstice. The date of the beginning of summer varies according to climate, tradition, and culture.
By the time summer rolls around life is in full swing. Children finish the school year and people around the world travel in abundance. For nature photographers, summer is the time of the year to get up in the mountains to enjoy alpine meadows, combined with snow covered peaks, all while basking in the warm sun...and the swarms of angry mosquitoes. :) While the sheer number of people you encounter in the summer can be frustrating for a nature photographer, the opportunities are also endless, without restrictive weather patterns or seasonal closures.
Fall Breeze & Autumn Leaves
Autumn, also known as Fall in American English, is one of the four temperate seasons. Outside the tropics, autumn marks the transition from summer to winter, in September (Northern Hemisphere) or March (Southern Hemisphere), when the duration of daylight becomes noticeably shorter and the temperature cools considerably.
For many landscape and nature photographers, autumn is a clear favorite out of all the seasons. I personally enjoy fall so much that I would be just fine with an eternal fall. The beautiful colors, cool breeze, morning fog and crisp fresh air have always made up my fondest memories. While the end of autumn ushers in the dark days of winter, I wait for the first signs of autumn each year with anticipation and the excitement of a child.
To Everything There Is A Season
The world we live in is full of natural beauty and wonder. Life, by nature is never-ending change. My philosophy in life is the same as in nature, to take it as it comes, enjoy it while it is here and appreciate it even after it is gone. For those of us living in 2021, as a planet, we are collectively looking for change. For new promises and the warmth of the summer sun on our faces. One again, hope has returned in the hearts of many.
To see more of the limited edition fine art photography that I offer please have a learn at my online art collections where you will find countless examples of the beautiful world we live in.