Winter Scene, London Photograph by Gordon Esler, Your ShotA couple caught in the snow last winter at the 17th-century Greenwich Naval College, London. To the right, shrouded in mist, is the River Thames.
Snowstorm, China Photograph by Michael Yamashita, National Geographic Another great picture made better by bad weather. Michael Yamashita has used a telephoto lens in this situation to compress the snowflakes into patterns of white. He has wisely focused on a plane of snow, leaving the background figures slightly soft. All these photographic choices pull the viewer into the storm. We can practically feel the snowflakes on our tongues. —Annie Griffiths Photo Tip: A telephoto lens will compress everything in a scene, including elements as small as snowflakes. And the longer the lens, the more shallow the depth of field, so it’s fun to experiment with the patterns and shapes that happen when using this type of lens.
Polar Bear and Cub, Svalbard Photograph by Philip DienAs we watched from our Zodiac, this polar bear gave her cub a lift as she swam across the fjord, shaking herself dry after emerging from the water with her cub hanging on. Polar bear cubs have been known to occasionally ride on the backs of their mothers as they swim together in Arctic waters, possibly to reduce exposure to cold. Download Wallpaper (1600 x 1200 pixels)
Beech Forest, Germany Photograph by Martin Hertel, Your ShotBeech forest in wintertime. Fichtelgebirge, Bavaria, Germany. Download Wallpaper (1600 x 1200 pixels)
South Haven, Michigan Photograph by Charlie Anderson, My ShotThis was taken after the first winter storm in December. South Haven, Michigan. Download Wallpaper (1600 x 1200 pixels)
Baffin Island Sun Photograph by John DunnThe midnight Arctic sun never strays from the horizon in this time-exposed shot of Nunavut’s Baffin Island. Some parts of Nunavut endure 24 hours of light from late April until late August and 24 hours of darkness from late October until mid-February.
Alberta, Canada Photograph by Dwayne Holmwood, My ShotBeautiful frost at sunset in Alberta Download Wallpaper (1600 x 1200 pixels)