Oops! This is 4.5 inches of snow?

OK, the recent snowstorm threw more snow onto York Countians than all the snow falls of last year combined (that's by my memory, not official).

It wasn't the 4.5 inches the forecasters predicted, but in the end was 12 inches in North York, 24 inches in Goldsboro. So pick your number, depending on whether you want to brag or complain to your friends outside the storm's path. Either way, it meant a lot of shoveling, plowing, blowing of snow and cancelled events.

So I was out looking for photos, like nearly everyone else. But this time, I wanted something other than my usual pretty birds on a snowy branch, kids sledding down a hill, a face covered with snow.

The snow was deep-- and slippery-- turning this 17-year old upside down.

Former YDR photographer Kristin Murphy shot skiing for Ski Magazine and suggested overexposing about a stop or so to outsmart the meter, showing detail in the shadows and catching terrific action. It works, and thanks for her suggestion.

Generally, shooting winter scenes escapes me. 'Never been very good at it. Can never seem to get details and shadows, capturing the typical calm winter scene. It's frustrating since it's my favorite season of the year.

If you have an idea to help improve my winter scenes, I'd like to hear it.