Shooting in the snow can be a great experience and produce beautiful pictures, but those peaceful snowflakes can also really harm your camera if you’re not too careful. There is a lot to take into consideration while taking pictures in the cold outdoors, hopefully, some of your questions will get answered!
What To Bring
When shooting pictures in the snow, there are many things that need to be taken into consideration. First, let’s talk about what you may need in regards to preparation and what to bring in general. I highly suggest either gloves, hand warmers, or something of the sort. Trust me, you will definitely need it, I, unfortunately, learned the hard way. You may also want to carry some extra batteries. Your batteries tend to die quicker once you’re out in the cold, you don’t wanna be stuck about to take a perfect picture when all of a sudden, your camera dies. One thing that you may want to avoid is the haze that may appear on your lens, as well as snowflakes or random water droplets. This can be avoided by bringing a lens cloth. Don’t be afraid to pack extra! I also suggest you bring a polarizer, this can reduce the glare caused by the snow. Lastly, never forget your lens hood. This can help reduce the harsh brightness from the snow as well as the sun.
What To Look For
Before doing anything, think about the composition provided in a snowy picture. Try to find some sort of contrast throughout the scene. One way to make your picture pop is to add some color. If you’re shooting a person, you may want them to wear a bright coat, scarf, or hat. If you’re shooting a dog, maybe try a bright-colored collar. Try to find things of that nature, maybe a sled or lights if it’s near the holidays. If you don’t want color in your picture, consider shooting in black and white to create contrast. Try to think ahead throughout your shooting time. Don’t step where you may want to take a picture, watch out for dirty snow, and overall just try to find the freshest clean snow. You may also want to try and freeze the snow as it is falling. This will create the perfect wintery scene that you’re looking for!
Camera Settings
Now, one of the most important things to keep in mind throughout your shooting time is to shoot in RAW. This is very important especially for shooting in the snow. When shooting in the snow, it is very easy to overexpose your image. When shooting RAW, it is much easier to pull in those shadows and add contrast. Now, if you’re looking to capture the snow falling with no blur, try increasing your shutter speed. This will allow the snow to be still in your pictures.
While shooting in the snow may be difficult, it offers breathtaking pictures if you adjust accordingly. Hopefully, these tips and tricks help you shoot your next winter wonderland!!
