Less options for shooting winter macro than some other seasons push you to get a bit more creative. Like this:
Or this:
Diamonds in Ice
Sometimes you happen to be outside by accident when the lighting is just right, making an everyday scene look magnificent. This was one of those times when I shot several great macro images.
And the reason I had to be outdoors?
My dog asked to "go to the bathroom!" I never thought I'd say this on such an occasion, but: "Thank you, dog!"
Rock and Steel
When it comes to photography, most people prefer to see beautiful landscapes or interesting animals (not to mention women), if popular images on Instagram or 500px are of any indication. Yet in these cases it is the subject's innate aesthetic qualities, rather than the photographer's eye, that do much of the work. That is why my own preference often lies with conceptual pieces or ones with strong abstract qualities, like this one. This is one of my favorite macro works this season.
These frozen water drops from the previous image simply mesmerized me: upon closer inspection, they resemble chipped rock and molten steel all at once.
Freezing Point, Melting Point
Like Flowers
Winter's Golden Hour
The golden hour is every photographer's best friend that offers the most aesthetically pleasing natural lighting for almost any kind of image-taking, including portraiture. Even during generally colorless winters (those occasionally brilliant skies notwithstanding), this is the time that makes the most seemingly bland subjects—like snow on a branch—appear majestic.
Imprisoned by Ice
By a Thread
Silver
Sometimes, early winter mornings are overwhelmed by silver and blue. It is those moments that you realize that even commercial Christmas-season decorations and color palettes are inspired by nature.
In motion, this surreal silver world looks like this:
And this macro image—as above, so below—is a testament to when you're inspired by Japanese sakura or plum trees in early spring, but all you have is snow!