Capture February! 11 Recommended Photography Subjects to Feel the Last of Winter and the Arrival of Spring | Release #435

Plum blossoms, heralding spring, captivate people with their delicate appearance and fragrance. Especially when capturing the white-eye birds visiting plum trees, it becomes a cherished spring photo known as 'Umejiro.'

Using a telephoto lens to blur the background and highlight the subject is recommended. Additionally, utilizing morning light can make the flower colors more vivid.

Kawazu cherry blossoms, which bloom earlier than Somei Yoshino, are characterized by their deep pink flowers. The contrast with the blue sky is beautiful, and shooting from a low angle to look up creates a powerful composition.

Additionally, capturing close-ups of densely packed flowers or using a wide-angle lens to capture the cherry blossom avenue can express the arrival of spring.

Swans that migrate to Japan's lakes and rivers during winter are attractive subjects with their graceful presence. Utilizing the light of dawn or dusk can capture beautiful silhouettes. Additionally, using water reflections can create a magical atmosphere.
When capturing flying scenes, set the shutter speed to a faster setting.

Frost created by cold air and water vapor is a mystical subject unique to winter. Particularly, the giant frost formations known as 'Snow Monsters' in Zao, Yamagata Prefecture, offer an overwhelming landscape.

On clear days, using the blue sky as a background enhances the beautiful contrast of white and blue. Emphasizing depth with a wide-angle lens can create more impactful photos.

The snow-covered Gassho-style houses of Shirakawa-go and the beautiful thatched roofs of 'Miyama Kayabuki no Sato' are breathtaking spots where you can feel the unique charm of Japanese winter. Light-up events are sometimes held, so try your hand at night photography.
Adjust the white balance to create a warm light, enhancing the magical atmosphere.

In the cold February, the air is clear, making the steam rising from factories more visible, making it an ideal time to capture magical factory nightscapes. Using a telephoto lens to capture the rising steam can create a scene reminiscent of a movie.

On Valentine's Day, February 14th, photographing chocolates and sweets is a fun theme. Shooting by a window with bright natural light and styling with wrapping and small items can create a stylish atmosphere. Utilizing a macro lens to highlight the texture of chocolate is also a good idea.

The full moon in February is called the 'Snow Moon,' beautifully illuminating the winter night sky. It is recommended to use a telephoto lens of 200mm or more to capture the details of the craters clearly. Combining it with snowy landscapes can create a winter-like mystical work.

By the end of February, rapeseed flowers begin to bloom in warm regions. The combination of yellow flowers and blue sky evokes the arrival of spring, making it an ideal theme for photography. Using a wide-angle lens to capture the entire flower field or a macro lens to close-up a single bloom can create works with different impressions.

February 22 is known as 'Cat Day,' making it a perfect time to take photos of cats. When shooting outdoor stray cats, use a telephoto lens to capture them from a distance that doesn't alert them. When photographing indoor pet cats, use a lens with a low f-stop to create soft bokeh effects in your photos.

Daffodils, popular as winter flowers, are valuable for photography even in February. Visiting daffodil fields to take photos adds color to the winter landscape with the spread of white flowers. Shooting from a low angle with the sky as the background highlights the daffodils' dignified beauty.


February is a season where you can feel the signs of spring amidst the cold. Be sure to take your camera and capture the beautiful scenery that spreads between winter and spring.