I noted a few days ago that winter is a great time to use your camera and shoot what you see. Let me add that winter, especially right after the holidays, is also a great time to try out new photography gear. It is likely that you received new equipment as a gift or a gift card to a photo center like B & H. Before the pressure of grabbing the camera to do "keeper" shots mounts, now is a good time to get that gizmo or try out that new lens, filter, camera, tripod, etc., before you need it to get a spectacular sunset or kids playing in the snow. No one ever has to see your mistakes, nor will you have to explain why a shot was poorly focused or badly composed.  Just learn the lesson, delete it and keep going!

Though you may be stuck inside due to the cold, that doesn't need to stop you from taking pictures of things around the house--the dog, the cat, a forlorn houseplant, a prized knickknack, a winter scene out a window, or a spouse (if permitted). It's also a great time to try different kinds of photography, like black and white, if you only take color photos, or to do food or cut flower shots.  It is easy to set up a simple light box or backdrop with a white sheet, some cardboard or foam-core board, and natural or incandescent light and start shooting using that new tripod and macro lens.  Use the time to learn how to use the equipment to its best advantage, and for those feeling a bit blah or burned out, to get the inspiration and different way of seeing that new equipment or a new Photoshop technique can bring. 

I'm among those who got new equipment over the holidays--in my case a new camera body (a Nikon D800E--it's a treasure!). Some equipment comes with a learning curve and the long cold days of winter is a good time--if any exists--to cozy up before the fire with an instruction manual or YouTube video that tells exactly how to get the best out of your gear. YouTube is an amazing source of information for just about any gizmo you acquire--and its free!

Green heartThe green heart of a white Christmas amaryllis.

With some practice, persistence, and tinkering, the results may surprise you. You may capture an image you really like and want to add to your portfolio.  Stranger things have happened!