Comments on: 5 Quick Tips For Shooting In Cold Weather

By: Torben

Torben — Sun, 20 Dec 2009 07:13:53 +0000

Working as a ski instructor in the Austrian Alps and carring a camera with me all the times, I will say:

1. The extra battery kept as close to your body is very important.

2. If your taking photos of snow and the sun is shining watch out for the right color balance, auto color balance will do in many cases, but you might have to correct it later, as the snow usually get a blue color cast.

3. Set the exposure compensation to a negative number when taking photos in a snow covered landscape with the sun out.

By: Dan S

Dan S — Sat, 19 Dec 2009 22:51:02 +0000

keep extra batteries in a warm pocket close to your body. Electronics eat up batery power much more quickly in cold weather. Good idea to keep a set of hand warmers available to warm up you hands after shooting in the cold.

By: kegbb2i3h

kegbb2i3h — Sun, 13 Dec 2009 03:32:15 +0000

Dress extra warm, long underwear, two knit hats, multiple layers. If you are going to be standing still taking pictures you will not generate as much internal heat as when constantly walking, so if you want to be comfortable and not feel freezing cold, dress extra warm.

I agree, keep extra batteries warm, in a shirt pock or a sweatshirt pocket under your jacket where they will stay warm. Fingerless gloves on my button pressing hand (regular gloves/mittens on the other), I also take big easy on/off mittens to go over the fingerless when not shooting. Put the camera inside your jacket if you have room for it there.

Take sun glasses if you are out all day. Bright reflected light off the snow can cause eye strain and eventually temporary snow blindness if you are out all day.

By: Eric

Eric — Fri, 11 Dec 2009 20:43:23 +0000

@Drew – Great tips! That’s a good point about snow on the ground. Thanks for chiming in.

By: Drew

Drew — Fri, 11 Dec 2009 18:35:27 +0000

I recently did a portrait session outside in the snow, a few things I would add;

1) on my left hand I wore a mitt (you know the ones with no fingers) and the right hand I wore a semi thin glove, so that I could change camera setting easily. When I wasn’t shooting I put the gloved hand in my jacket pocket which had a hand warmer inside.

2) Keep at lest one extra battery in your pocket as close to your skin as possible to keep it warm, so that you can switch it when the one in your camera freezes.

3) With snow on the ground, it acts as a huge reflector, use this to your advantage!

4) Have fun!

Heres a few from the shoot: http://drgphotography.ca/2009/12/calgary-photographer-brett-julia-sneak-peak/

By: forkboy1965

forkboy1965 — Fri, 11 Dec 2009 17:18:47 +0000

Regarding the condensation issue…living here in SW Ohio I was warned to be very careful about taking out my Canon dSLR into the cold from a warm and toasty house or car (and vice versa). It was strongly recommended to me to place my camera in a plastic bag, tie it off, and then place it into the conditions where I will be shooting for an hour or so in advance of using it.

This allows the camera, lens(es), etc. drop or rise in temperature slowly and carefully and prevent condensation from forming. All the electronics in modern cameras and lenses do not like or need moisture in them.

Granted, this method is of no use if you need to snap a picture NOW of something outside, but if you can plan ahead I fully support this method.

By: John Lam

John Lam — Fri, 11 Dec 2009 13:51:47 +0000

One more very importance tiP
Not all camera and/or there battery can work in the cold,
so make sure it can work in the cold.
If you got a camera can’t take the cold, keep them inside you winter coat to keep it warm before you need to use them