Gearing Up for Winter Photography

The winter season offers a lot of opportunities for both beginners and professional photographers to improve their skills. With the blessing of snow, everything outside will be blanketed by the stuff, which gives photographers a treat of capturing wonderful images. However, practicing photography in winter is not that simple. Starting from you to your tools and equipment, everything must be in tip-top shape to be able to brave the weather. Here are some guidelines on how to be geared enough before you start your photography session:

Dress Up before You Get Down in the Snow

 

Of course, it is a common rule to wear heavier clothes during this season and venturing out on a photo shoot is no exception. First, wear warm, waterproof boots to help you trek through snow. Second, contrary to the general thinking for clothing in winter, don’t overdress when you are going on a photography trip this winter. Over-dressing would not permit you move comfortably while taking pictures. Just wear clothes that would keep you warm enough to let you stay longer outdoors. 

Camera Care and Easy Access Equipment

Rule number one is to keep your SLR camera cold. Contrary to popular belief, keeping your camera warm all throughout the session would be a disadvantage to you. When you constantly keep your camera in a warm place then take it out to shoot, moisture would develop that could potentially harm your camera. Also, keep your gear accessible to save you time and effort while being outside. Have a bag, regardless if it’s a backpack or an actual camera bag, and make sure that you can easily reach for your gear with little effort from these bags.

By following these simple tips, you avoid some of the common pitfalls of winter photography and set yourself up to enjoy capturing the beauty that the winter season has to offer.

Tips and Tricks on Winter Photography

Proper clothes? Check! Warm boots? Check! Easy-access pockets on bags for your gear? Check! Now, you are ready and well-prepared to start taking beautiful shots outdoors. Winter photography is not just taking pictures. It is all about having the right skills and practice while being outdoors with your SLR camera. But what if you are just starting with photography and you want to try your hand at winter photography? Here are some tips and tricks on how to take great shots in snow:

Take Raw Shots

Although some older camera models have difficulties with taking pictures in RAW, it is advisable to capture images in RAW format if possible. This provides you with more options in post-production and will allow you to fix problems easily that are difficult (or impossible) to fix in the JPEG format.

Just Keep on Shooting

As simple as it may sound, you should never delete images while you are still in the field. There are times when some shots, whether intentionally or accidently taken, seem weak when you first see it in the field but turn out to be a perfect shot once viewed on a desktop. So be sure to pack extra memory cards, especially if you’re shooting RAW..

A Little Exposure Won’t Hurt

Winter photography is basically focused on one thing: the snow. To make the snow look more beautiful on your images, slightly overexpose it by using a gray card and setting a custom white balance.

Be on Manual

If you’re using an SLR camera, you can shift the settings of your camera to manual. Using Auto mode will result in darker images due to the camera focusing on the bright light that’s reflected from the snow. You can overcome this by shooting in manual mode. These tips should provide a good point to start when taking snaps in the snow. Don’t be afraid to get creative and enjoy beauty that is the snowy season.