Winter scenes, recreated in the studio, were the source of much of Notman’s renown. Before the era of electric light, photographers struggled to bring enough light indoors to keep exposures brief and the image decently exposed. Notman worked with his friend and fellow Montreal photographer Alexander Henderson on possible technical solutions, including a magnesium flare that could provide a burst of light either behind or in front of the camera. The successful result of their efforts is visible as a campfire in an image from the Caribou Hunting series.