In this series of After Effects tutorials, we will discuss the steps we take to set up this winter scene; complete with lights, shadows, lens flares, and many more realistic effects. Software required: After Effects CS6.

Introduction and Project Overview
Creating the Sky and Ground
Setting up the 3D Shadow for the Trees
Creating a Composition of Trees with the Sky and Ground
Duplicating the Precomp of Trees to Create the Forest
Adding the Light
Turning on the Light and Material Options for Our Layers
Adding a Camera and a Null Object
Adding the Lens Flare
Adding Depth of Field
Preparing Our Composition to Create Atmospheric Distortion
Setting up the Light for the Atmospheric Distortion
Using the Pre-rendered Sequence for Atmospheric Distortion
Adding Our Final Lens Effects