For a long while we had very little winter in Ontario and now we have had more than some may wish.
When it is very cold outside, photography is still very practical and you can capture beautiful images. This past week, we had magnificent sunrises in the cold mornings and snow that, then, glittered in the morning sun. The overcast days provide a diffuse light that works well for photographing people at play on their skis or snowmobiles.
If the weather is very cold, the two weak points are your battery and the impact of condensation on your equipment. Your battery can be taken out of your camera and kept warm inside your coat and put in when you need it. If your camera will fit under coat, this is even better. When you go inside, condensation is a challenge. I put my camera and lens inside a plastic bag until it has warmed up. Or, you can let it warm up gradually in a garage or porch.
Very very cold weather is a good time to go inside with your photography. You can turn your favorite window into an impromptu studio and photograph people. You can photograph flowers and other small objects inside using availalbe light or flash.
Or, you can use the cold weather as an opportunity to learn some new photographic software or try some new photographic techniques on your computer. Both Adobe and Apple offer innovative new software to help you organize, develop and share your photos. This is a great time too to organize your digital images (or even your old slides) and develop a presentation for your family or friends based on your photographs from 2006.
Well, if you are feeling really bold, try loading some film in the old 35 and use that to take some great photos….however dont rewind the film until your camera has warmed up as the film might break or it may leave streaks from static electricity …also try and keep your camera under your coat – if possible…a fully manual camera doesnt need any batteries…
Shutterbug: I don’t find cold weather photography challenging. I never keep my camera inside my coat and don’t have any problems. I own an auto 35mm Minolta and have never had problems with batteries. A handy solution, if your worried about the batteries is to carry a spare set with you.
Wear Long John’s and bring a micky! Sorry I missed you in Toronto Wally but chit happens brother.
If you want great photos sometimes you have to make sacrifices. In cold weather if I’m out travelling about in my car I keep the heater off. It get’s chilly but my camera stays aclimated to the current temperture outside and that way I can minimize condensation on the lens and camera body. Nothing worse then “seeing that special shot” and your lens is fogged over!
There are 3 different ideas in handling the cold and the cameras so as to get pleasing photos, I guess whatever works is the best way…I havent tried digital due to the cold but perhaps the new batteries and camera circuitry will allow it, my camera manual says no-no to anything colder than O degrees C …