japan Snow Dance

One of my favorite trips each year, is the one to Japan. The countrynot only offers a fascinating culture, super friendly and respectfulpeople and a delicious cuisine, it also offers great wildlifephotography opportunities in stunning settings.

Winter time is when I go there, when the landscape is transformed intoa wildlife photographer's dream. I love photographing wildlife in thesnow, as it really fits my style of photography. The white blanketremoves clutter, makes strong lines and shapes more dominant, createsthe possibility for cleaner compositions, and, most important, addstons of atmosphere.

Being able to photograph wildlife while it's snowing, is what I hopefor each year, but you have to be lucky. This year we got exactly whatwe wanted when we were shooting the elegant Japanese cranes. The daystarted heavily overcast, and soon after we arrived in the earlymorning, snow started falling down. The cranes had just left theirroosting spot and were landing on the fields right in front of us.After a few hours it stopped snowing, and it was only then that Irealized that the wet snow had completely soaked my down jacket.Needless to say that the rest of the day was rather chilly.

Nikon D3, AF-S VR 200-400/4.0, 1/1000 @ f/8, ISO 500, manualmetering, tripod

[if you would like to join me on our next White & Wild Japan tour,please have a look at my website]

So what is your White balance set at? :) Great photo!

Excellent shot !