Over the past few weeks, we've had a few invigorating cold spells, with everything coated in delicate frost.

I've been out on those mornings with my kids, hunting for frozen puddles to jump in, watching the vapour of our breath on the still air and listening to the early morning birdsong.

There's something genuinely satisfying about the sounds during a frost; the crunching, crushing, breaking noises underfoot, the groaning of ice and my favourite; the sounds of ice skidding across the frozen water (it seems to echo endlessly with similarities to a rainstick).

With the camera, I've been searching for complete landscapes, while also keeping an eye out for minute scenes of beauty.

Within the forest, fern leaves, gorse and brambles draw my attention, alongside the purple hues of the silver birch, the spiking teasles and the abstract lines and details inside icy puddles.

If the sun is out, you can often move so that your subject is backlit by warm golden light, brightening up the frame and making the frost pop.

When using my macro lens, miniature scenes filled with interest are in abundance. I generally search for a singular object such as a curving leaf or cluster of flowers and test different angles before taking a photograph. There will often be the same scene replicated in the area, with slight differences that make the composition more appealing, so I check for alternatives first.

Subtle changes in colour, a singular tree or even a few lines embedded in the ice can make an artistic photograph with much fascination.

On the next frosty days, if you haven't already, I strongly recommend going out with your camera, even if it is in your garden. Wildlife is easier to spot among the white backdrop and you're rewarded with rosy cheeks and endless photo opportunities.

For more Sussex scenes and frequent posts, go and follow me on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/james_ratchford_photography/

Thanks for reading.

James