Nov. 23, 2011 - Issue #840: Battle the world
Baby, it’s cold outside
Snap the best shots when the weather's against you
For those who can cope with the chill, the perfect storm of winter weather can result in stunning images: slanted morning sunlight makes perfect backlighting for delicate flakes clinging to branches, steam rising from open water creates an ethereal effect, and windswept snow scenes captured at the right moment appear otherworldly. Here are a few tips to to help you snap the most impressive frosty photos feasible.
Wrap your gear in warm woolies
Think of your camera and its batteries and flash as you would your fingers and toes. Just like your extremities, camera parts and batteries slow down and become less effective in cold temperatures. Combat this by keeping your gear cozy before you shoot. It's a good idea to keep a spare battery stored in a pocket close to your body so you can swap it with a sluggish, cold battery if need be. Also, consider carrying your camera inside your jacket while you wait for the perfect light, pulling it out only when you need to shoot. When it's extra cold, bring portable hand-warmers to spread some warmth to both your fingers and camera parts.
Avoid an "oh #^*@%!" moment
Attach fluorescent flagging tape to smaller pieces of equipment to prevent a string of expletives from escaping your lips as you watch your memory card of award-winning images tumble into a snowy abyss. Store any bits and pieces you might pull out of your camera bag in a highly-visible way, just in case your cold fingers fail you: lens filters and caps, memory card cases, battery packs and your tripod head.
Black-and-white might be right
What winter sometimes lacks in lush colours, it makes up for in great shadows and light patterns; ideal for black-and-white photography. If you're not getting the colour photos you're seeking, switch your brain to thinking in grayscale. Pay special attention to contrasts in light; silhouettes (of which there are many in winter, when most trees and plants shed their leaves); how the wind sculpts snow into shapely curves; and dark objects, like a stand of trees, positioned against snowy whiteness. Thinking outside of the realm of colour can help you become a better photographer with a well-rounded understanding of exposure and light.
Use lazy hours to your advantage
Those who have a hard time crawling out of bed early to catch summer sunrises have no excuse in the winter. On average, the sun rises three hours later during winter months, and sets at least three hours sooner, meaning the most beautiful lighting moments of the day are available to even the most sluggish. The low angle of early morning and evening light produces soft, even lighting and long, languid shadows, which make for warm, full-bodied photographs. The clear skies that bring crisp winter temperatures can also create perfect alpenglow: a blue, purple, red or orange-tinted sky that no photographer should miss.
Get some extra exposure
To the human eye, snow is white. So why, if you let your camera do the work, do your snow scenes usually have a greyish tinge? Your camera's light meter is set to expose to middle grey (18 percent grey) for most colours, making subjects like blue sweaters, green grass and red paint look perfectly exposed. But when the meter reads bright, white snow, it attempts to expose it to middle grey, making your snow scene look slightly grey and dark (underexposed). To compensate, play with increasing your exposure (opening up), which will make snow appear brilliant white. The amount to increase the exposure will vary with weather conditions, and depends how much snow detail you want to capture. Try taking photos at different exposures in sequence (bracketing) to decide which you like best.
Dress your best
If you're uncomfortable while out taking photos, chances are you'll be less enthusiastic, which can translate to your images. Prevent this by planning ahead and dressing accordingly. Keep in mind you'll likely be standing still for a long period, so layer up and wear the warmest footwear you can. Bring a thermos of something hot to drink, and consider wearing liners with separated fingers inside your mitts so you can fiddle with your camera without exposing bare skin.
Keep your camera dry
If it's really snowing, you need to ensure no moisture reaches the most precious parts of your camera—it can only take so much before its electronic parts fizzle. Protect it from the snow by investing in a clear plastic rain cover, which usually has drawstrings or elastic for a snug fit. Or, make Red Green proud and build your own with plastic bags and duct tape. Most importantly, once you're back indoors, let your camera warm up as slowly as possible to avoid condensation buildup. Wrap it in a sealed plastic bag before going inside, and leave it to acclimate in a place that isn't next to a heater.
More stories in Snow Zone »
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