Snow on Sunday?!

[Ellen]

So it seems we have been forecast snow on Sunday here and as you can imagine (we don't get much here) I want to be out with my camera!

What do I need to get good shots? I know that snow is fairly difficult to shoot and so was wondering what you guys do to make sure you get it right?

Do you use any filters? I now have a UV and Polarising filter...

Look forward to your advice!

[MatsP]

Snow is indeed difficult.

Best snow pictures are in freezing conditions with sunshine - I haven't looked at the forecast, so I don't know if that's what's coming.

The other difficulty is that snow is white - cameras expect an average of 18% gray (or 12% gray depending on who you ask) - which means that the camera will underexpose to some extent.

Use the histogram ("infio" button when viewing on the back of the camera) to see that you have exposure in the whole range but no "flashing" bits that indicate over-exposure - you may need to adjust your exposure compensation a bit - probably no more than half or two-thirds of a stop.

--
Mats

[ChiefBill]

You might want to bracket your exposures - depends on the lighting conditions. The polarizing filter might cut some of the glare if you have direct sunshine.

[wcrosman]

I use the zone system for color. Using it for snow is as follows.
Set the camera light metering system to SPOT.
Set the exposure 2 stops over exposed. That's right over exposed. But NO clipping.

-2 -1 0 1 2
.............^
Light meters assume you are metering on neutral gray. If you spot on white and expose normally your white will be neutral gray. If you expose 2 stops over the white will be white with detail not clipped.

[gparr]

I shoot in manual and overexpose by 1 to 1.5 stops. I also bracket. 1 stop sunny days and 1.5 on cloudy days is my guideline. Tom is right. Watch the "blinkies" on your display. If you can deliver images such as this on sunny days, you have it.
gary

http://www.dphoto.us/forumphotos/data/500/Minimalist.jpg

http://www.dphoto.us/forumphotos/data/500/white9.jpg

[ChiefBill]

Tom & Gary - thanks for the information - it will help me as well!

[Brasco]

I should add, that the guidance on +1 to +2 is best applied when the snow is predominant in the scene. If there is an equal quantity of dark tones, the camera's exposure meter will get it right or at least closer to right. An example of this is a winter scene shot in the woods. The dark tones of the trees balance the white tone of the snow and the meter will do a better job.

[wcrosman]

I should add, that the guidance on +1 to +2 is best applied when the snow is predominant in the scene. If there is an equal quantity of dark tones, the camera's exposure meter will get it right or at least closer to right. An example of this is a winter scene shot in the woods. The dark tones of the trees balance the white tone of the snow and the meter will do a better job.Don,

Your statements are correct if you're using evaluative metering. If you use the zone system. Then spot meter on the snow as I've described, otherwise the snow will be blown out.

[Ellen]

Thanks for all the tips guys!! I look forward to getting out there and having a practice! :D

[beerlies]

I took a trip to France and Belgium in November and one of the problems I ran into was condensation forming on the filters when going from the cold to a warm car and back again. I found that by keeping the camera inside my jacket when I was not shooting pictures and then keeping the camera in the trunk instead of inside the car kept the problem from returning. After some researching I found a recommendation of placing the camera inside a plastic bag when coming in from the cold to keep the condesation forming. I am sure the folks here have other good ideas for protecting your camera from the cold.

Don

[wcrosman]

I took a trip to France and Belgium in November and one of the problems I ran into was condensation forming on the filters when going from the cold to a warm car and back again. I found that by keeping the camera inside my jacket when I was not shooting pictures and then keeping the camera in the trunk instead of inside the car kept the problem from returning. After some researching I found a recommendation of placing the camera inside a plastic bag when coming in from the cold to keep the condesation forming. I am sure the folks here have other good ideas for protecting your camera from the cold.

DonI tend to not worry about it much. Here in Colorado the humidity is low. So going from warm to cold is not much of an issue. Going from cold to a a warm humidified home could be.

That said, I simply by nature follow an old guitar players technique. My camera is in a chest mounted case or in a backpack. When I leave my warm car or return to the warm car/home it stays in the unopened case/backpack until it has a chance to slowly warm or cool. This prevents condensation as the camera is never exposed to sudden temperature changes.

[MatsP]

Ellen, did you get any pictures of the snow? Here it started to snow properly by evening-time - all dark and I was unable to take any pictures of it.

--
Mats

[Ellen]

Same thing here... we didn't really get anything much until last night... today there are patches which may have been worthy of a pic... but I am at work :mad:

Leaving at midday though as it is supposed to be bad in Norwich this afternoon!

Hope you manage to get some :D

[cox]

To read the BBC this morning, it sounds as if all of London is shutdown. Heathrow is shut, tube lines closed, no buses. Must be a mess. And all that for 8" of snow...

[Ellen]

I'd like to know where those 8" of snow were!!! I was really disappointed - our trains were a mess this morning and when I travelled home early as we were supposed to have a load more... and all it is now is wet and cold :mad:

Oh well, I will just have to go somewhere on holiday where there will be snow :D:cool:

[ChiefBill]

Putting the camera in a plastic bag is a good idea - but I also put in as many of the silica gel packs (the little bags packed with various items) into the bag with the camera to absorb moisture as I can get...

[wcrosman]

I'd like to know where those 8" of snow were!!! I was really disappointed - our trains were a mess this morning and when I travelled home early as we were supposed to have a load more... and all it is now is wet and cold :mad:

Oh well, I will just have to go somewhere on holiday where there will be snow :D:cool:Oh. Didn't you know? That's the thing about snow. It is wet (frozen water) and cold (frozen water). :D

[ChiefBill]

Ellen - come join us in Chicago - we have about 12" on the ground, but that's down from about 18 - 20". But at least it getting warmer - it reached 25 (F) today and may get into the 40's this weekend. That's after a record cold January!

[MatsP]

We had a load of snow here. Schools closed, trains not running, no way to get to work, etc, etc.

Some snapshots:
http://www.dphoto.us/forumphotos/data/500/thumbs/IMG_6791_-_fb.jpg (http://www.dphoto.us/forumphotos/showphoto.php/photo/60902)

http://www.dphoto.us/forumphotos/data/500/thumbs/IMG_6790_-_fb.jpg (http://www.dphoto.us/forumphotos/showphoto.php/photo/60901)

Not my best shots ever by any measure - it was a case of "T-shirt and sandals, quick get the camera, kids may not see this ever again".

--
Mats

[Ellen]

WOW - you really did have lots of snow!!!

Your children looked like they had a ball :D

I like the pictures... shame I didn't get a chance before it all melted away in our area!

[lecter]

It's getting hotter here in Bangkok.
For snow, I look in the freezer......
it still melts too fast..
hehe
Rob

[rbritt1268]

Just watching the New York news, looks like London was shut down from about 3" yesterday.

[MatsP]

Just watching the New York news, looks like London was shut down from about 3" yesterday.

Yes, if any nation ever wants to wage a war against the UK, just bring lots of snow and there will be very limited resistance.

We certainly had more than 3" tho', about 10-12" [my 13" tall motorcycle boots were nearly not tall enough to walk in the snow without getting snow in the boots - and that was the only "snow" boots I had available - we do not get much snow here... ].

--
Mats