Wednesday 6 January 2010

How to take amazing photos in the snow

Anyone who lives in the UK will be all too aware that this winter is unusually cold. Snow isn't a rare round these parts but this year has started with an unusually large downfall which has made everywhere look like a winter wonderland.

Of course, no self respecting photographer can resist the temptation of taking snow photos so to help you get decent photos here's a short tutorial on snow photography.



As always I'm not simply making videos for the sake of it, I'm also out taking photos for myself. You can view the photos seen in the video on my flickr page

Here's one of favourite form the day. It's a panoramic made from 6 images. I think this would make an amazing canvas print. 6 images joined together makes for a pretty big image, in fact it can be printed 130cm wide without interpellation.

Click the photo to enlarge

Of course I'm well aware the whole world isn't in the grip of winter and according to Gym, one of my readers in Australia, he's never actually seen real snow!



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12 comments:

Luis Santos said...

nice photo :)

Stefano said...

Great the tips of exposure. I I go to try it now.

Thanks

Gavin Hoey Training said...

Wrap up warm if you're going out in the snow.

Bart said...

nice images...they look almost like infrared shots.

Gavin Hoey Training said...

Hi Bart. Ithought that too.

Mihai Codoban said...

Instructional video, as usual :)
I have one question though, how badly does snow affect your camera? I can see in the video that you use your camera while it's snowing. Does that not damage it?

While I took pictures during snow fall, I noticed that the snow flakes got attached to the camera, and began to melt in proximity with my hands, thus, the camera was all wetty especially around the lens rings and the buttons on the back. So I packed my gear and went home, deciding not to risk it.

Wearing gloves helps a bit, but then the gloves get wet after a while and I get back where I started.

Is it just paranoic me or can that kind of humidity damage the camera? (the 450d, kit lens and the nifty fifty are not sealed against moisture)

Gavin Hoey Training said...

Any water might damage your camera, but you have to be sensible. I always carry a small lens cloth in my bag to wipe off drops of rain, snow or even spray from waves at the beach.

The conditions you see in the video wasn't quite as bad as it looked. I was sheltered by some trees. The video camera was les sheltered and got a few spots of snow but nothing serious.

To be honest I think the biggest danger was going to be caused by me slipping and dropping the camera.

Anonymous said...

The cold seems to have a pretty big effect on the moving parts of the camera too. I find that my camera won't focus if it's too cold, for example. Then I have to keep it warm inside my coat, until just before I want to take a picture, and then I have to worry more about condensation.

Natalie Jorge said...

what a beautiful shot Gavin!
Sometimes I wish we had snow here in Brazil too... only for a day or so... just to have fun...

Anonymous said...

This is my first comment and I am just starting through some of my first videos here and I am really enjoying them. This video is pretty funny for me coming from Canada but the tips seems solid none the less. I am still awaiting delivery of my first dSLR (on backorder for 3-4 weeks) so this is how I am getting my fix.
Keep up the good work Gavin!

Marcus Hamaker
http://www.thesleepygeek.com

Athena said...

Lovely images Gavin! We've been out and about playing our snow here in Geneva too. And like you my greatest fear is falling with the camera. After 8 years in the tropics, I am not the best snow walker. :)

~Athena

zoliky said...

These tips can be applied to P&S cameras as well, right?

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