![]() Setting shutter speed, aperture, and ISO will result in a correctly exposed image and your subject in focus.Įven on overcast days, snow and ice reflect a lot of additional light. Knowing what you intend to photograph is the first step to the best camera settings. The answer to that depends on what you intend to shoot. The best memory cards operate at extreme temperatures of between -13 to 185F, but it doesn’t hurt to keep them warm with the batteries.Ī common question I get asked is, “what setting should I use for snow photography?’. Keep them inside your jacket and close to your body heat or store them in a pouch with one or two hand warmers. ![]() Pack plenty of spare batteries to prevent your photography trip from ending early.Īlso, keep the batteries warm and insulated from the cold as much as possible. One of the most significant issues with winter photography is camera batteries getting too cold.īatteries work best when they’re warm, and if they get too cold, the battery life drains rapidly – a freshly charged battery can drop half of its charge. It’s also worth considering a lightweight travel tripod ( like these) since you don’t want to be weighed down when trudging through deep snow. High-quality tripods suited for extreme weather feature locking systems that won’t freeze and are easy to manage.Īlso, ensure that your mounting plate connects to your camera before heading out – otherwise impossible with cold, numb fingers. Practice opening and setting up your tripod with gloves, as trying to set up a tripod for the first time in freezing conditions may prove tough. If shooting long exposures in a winter landscape, an ND, Variable ND, or Graduated ND filter is ideal for controlling your exposure. Neutral Density filters help to cut down the excessive glare caused by light reflecting off the snow and ice in winter photography. ![]() The easiest way to overcome this is to use manual control to set sharp focus on a subject. It can result in your autofocus performance becoming unresponsive or laggy. The biggest lens issue in cold weather is the electronically controlled focus motors slowing down. If shooting with a zoom, mind the gap between the lens barrels to ensure it doesn’t freeze up and prevent you from extending the lens.Īlso, keep the lens hood on to stop snow, sleet and rain from falling on the front lens element. Lenses will do just fine, if not better than a camera, in cold temperatures – most new lenses feature weather sealing. You’ll also need a camera that has manual controls of shutter speed, aperture and ISO to prevent over-exposed images. With winter photography, check the camera manual or website for the operating temperature to make sure it will withstand the cold. It’s not a permanent issue and will resolve itself once the camera warms up, but beware of condensation issues when moving from cold to hot. Older DSLR cameras are not as good at handling the cold – that raises the question of how cold is too cold for a DSLR? The Canon EOS 5D Mark IV has an operating temperature range of 32 – 104F – most cameras operate in a similar range.Ĭold weather can impact the camera’s LCD or EVF (electronic viewfinder), making it sluggish or blank. If not, consider picking up a rain cover or ‘ storm jacket‘. When it’s too cold, the camera may freeze and not respond to any of your controls.įortunately, some cameras can deal with extreme cold and are also weather-sealed against freezing and rain. Let’s take a closer look at what’s necessary for winter photography.Ĭameras all have a recommended minimum and maximum operating temperature. First off, you need to ensure you have the proper winter photography gear for the season. Taking photos during winter is a challenge even for the most experienced photographers. Winter photography provides an annual opportunity to get out with your camera and see the world in a new way. ![]() Photography gear of outdoor photographer Sarah Medway.
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