Snow in the early morning

Hi! Today, November 24, 2025, around 10 cm of snow fell overnight across northern Czechia (Teplice, Krupka, Most, Ústí), and I grabbed my R6 Mark II with the 50mm f/1.8 and headed out first thing. The result? My initial shots were… gray. Classic. So I’d be happy to share some suitable tips with you, so you don’t get the same surprise as I did!

Here are 10 tips I use when the first proper snow falls – whether you have a phone or a camera.

1. Exposure +1 to +2 EV (Otherwise the Snow Will Be Gray!)

Snow tricks you. The meter thinks everything is bright → underexposes.

→ Add +1 to +1.7 EV (I used +1.3 today).

Phone: Hold your finger on the snow → slide the sun icon up.

2. White Balance to „Daylight“ or 5500–6000 K

Auto makes snow shadows blue.

→ Set WB to „Daylight“ or manual 5600 K → snow will be white, not blue.

3. Shoot Against the Sun (Backlight = Magic)

First snow + low sun = rays between flakes.

4. Aperture f/2.8–f/5.6 → Falling Snow as Dots

Sharper aperture = flakes visible as dots, not just blurry mist.

5. ISO as Low as Possible (100–400)

Snow reflects light → no need to crank ISO.

I had ISO 100–250 all day today.

6. RAW! (Colors Can Be Adjusted Later)

Snow has huge dynamic range. RAW saves blown highlights and shadows.

7. Black-and-White Photos – When It’s Really Gray

When it’s overcast and light is flat → switch to BW. Contrast and flake texture is insane.

8. Macro Flakes – Just a Phone + Clip-On Macro Lens for €10

For those with, for example, iPhone 17 Pro, I recommend a clip-on lens for more separated background – you’ll have flakes like from a fairy tale.

9. Kids + Animals = 100% Success

First snow and a rolling dog or child throwing snow – you’re not shooting, just holding the shutter.

10. Golden Hour in Snow = Absolute Top

Today 3:20–3:50 PM – sun was setting, everything was pink-gold. You don’t have much time to think, so I recommend shooting as much as possible!

My Today’s Settings (Canon R6 Mark II + RF 50mm f/1.8)

• Aperture f/4
• Shutter 1/1000 s
• ISO 160
• WB 5600 K
• Exposure +1.3 EV

And you? Did you head out to shoot the first snow today? Send me your photos or write if you have some own trick – I’d love to read it!

Tom Troler STUDIO – Teplice, 18. 12. 2025