Since winter came rushing in here in southeast PA, today, it seemed like a good idea to share a few tips for capturing the beauty, while overcoming the challenges of winter photography.
Obviously, the first thing you need to do is pay attention to the weather. I use a weather app, and follow the weather patterns not only in my county, but all the surrounding ones, as well. We don’t always get much snow in Berks County, but the greater Poconos areas can get a bunch. I’m willing to travel, as long as it’s safe to do so.
I get my gear ready the night before. I fully charge all my batteries. I like to carry at least 2 spares, if not more, depending on how long I plan on being out. It’s also not a bad idea to carry a USB charger for your batteries, so you can charge them up if you need to as you drive or walk. The embedded link here is for certain Canon batteries. Once you get to the product, search for the replacement for your specific battery. (obviously, do your due diligence when selecting an aftermarket battery or charger. Many do not get good reviews. I have used a variety and have never had a problem.)
My lenses all have lens hoods on them, which helps to keep snow off the front element. Depending on the light-or if it’s a blue sky day, I will also have a circular polarizer on there to help bring out contrast in the sky. If I am going to be near water, I will always be using a polarizer to cut through glare on wet rocks. (the link is for a brand of filters that I have used with no issues, in 77mm. Make sure to select your appropriate filter size, if ordering).
You will want to carry a ton of clean lens cloths to keep the front element of your lens clear of water drops. Make sure to wipe the lens often, as you are not always aware of spots on the lens-until you get home and find your shot ruined😣 The cloths get damp pretty quickly, so it’s good to have several on hand. You can also pick up a box of Kimtech wipes, which are super absorbent, lint-free disposable wipes. I carry all of these in a ziplock bag to protect from moisture as I wander.
You will also want to consider the weather-proofing of your gear. If you have an entry-level camera, it is probably not very well sealed against moisture, so you should take extra precaution. You could use something like a Rain Sleeve, which goes around your camera and lens and keeps them nice and dry. I carry one in each of my camera bags. And, speaking of camera bags, all of mine are waterproof and have rain ponchos attached. If yours is not weatherproof, then consider carrying a large trash bag to tie around your camera bag to keep it dry. I also keep several packs of silica gel (you know, those little packets that come with your shoes, etc.) in each bag, which help to absorb moisture.
If it’s really cold, be careful when moving in and out of extreme temperatures. Going from a very cold to very warm environment can cause your camera gear to fog. Bringing extremely cold gear inside can also cause condensation to build up on the sensor. Consider carrying a large ziplock bag that you can put your camera in before moving into an extreme temperature. When you return home, it is also a good idea to allow your camera to acclimate by leaving it in the closed camera bag for several hours away from heat. I personally have never had a problem, except for the time I changed lenses out in the snow and rain. Moisture did build up inside and cause fogging inside the camera. It is best not to change lenses at all when you are out in the elements. (note: links are Amazon affiliate links. If you make a purchase using one of these links, it will not cost you anything more, but I may get a small commission, which is greatly appreciated)
Head out prior to the weather, or as the snow is starting to fall. That gives you time to scout around to find some interesting subjects. Since the trees are usually bare, I like to search for evergreen forests, areas with rhododendron or mountain laurel, as the leaves never fall, and are usually still green. Old barns, rusty cars, tree-lined roads and bridges are just a few subjects that might work well. I especially love something with bold color against a stark white, winter surrounding, or anything that offers a contrast.
Don’t forget to look for strong elements of composition, like leading lines, repeating patterns, framing, etc. Look for interesting abstracts, as well, like snow or ice on a window.
Once you find a subject, pay attention to your exposure. Your camera’s meter is designed to give you a mid-tone gray. This means that your snow will likely come out underexposed unless you add extra exposure from your meter reading. I simply use my histogram as I shoot. Most current cameras today allow you to have a live histogram on your screen. My recommendation is to Shoot To The Right or Expose To The Right. This means that you have a bright enough exposure that your pixels are pushing to the right-WITHOUT any “blinkies”. If you do not have your Highlight Alert turned on in your camera, you should stop and do so right now. The blinkies show areas that are overexposed and will not have any detail. Even a bald sky should not have any blinkies in there, and definitely not the areas of snow!
Choose your aperture based on whatever depth of field you want in your image.
If it’s snowing, play around with different shutter speeds. A slower speed, such as 1/40th sec, will show the snow as streaks, and make it look like it’s really coming down hard. A faster shutter speed, such as I/125th, will freeze your snow flakes, and make the scene look more peaceful. This is the most creative way to convey your scene. Play! I will often put my camera in Shutter Priority, then once I have my exposure compensation set to get white snow (without blinkies:) I then shoot at a variety of shutter speeds, from 1/1500th down to maybe one second. At a certain point the shutter speed will get too slow and the snow kind of disappears.
Consider converting your images to black and white in post processing. Scenes with little color look great as black and whites
And lastly, dress to protect yourself from the elements. Dress in fleece or wick-away layers. Waterproof boots, coat and hat help to keep you dry. Snow pants are great to keep your legs warm and dry. Hand and foot warmers go a long way in keeping you comfortable out in the cold. And if you’re really a wimp, like me, you might consider a few next level things beside hand warmers. I use a pair of battery operated gloves. They are not cheap, but they really make a difference if you’ll be outside for a long time. The ones I have are thin enough to still use the camera, but warm enough to keep me comfortable for a few hours. Here I am rocking my winter fashions while enjoying a day on the beach along Lake Michigan in the Upper Peninsula many years ago😝
Thanks for taking the time to read this longish post. I hope you found these tips helpful. There are amazing images to be captured out in less than ideal weather. If you take the time to properly prepare, and plan in advance some great places to go when it snows, you can add some exciting new images to your portfolio.
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Blessings!
Val