Filming in winter
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Lee Wilson
Veteran
Don't eat the yellow snow.
Abu Reno
Well-known member
Dress warm! Last thing you want is to freeze your nuts off! I'm also assuming that you'll have some type of protective material for the camera. You should also have a buddy tag along you can always use the extra help in these weather conditions.
Here's a link I shot in a blizzard
http://www.vimeo.com/3387485
Here's a link I shot in a blizzard
http://www.vimeo.com/3387485
Abu Reno
Well-known member
Yes, I was raised in Detroit and the family decided to get out quick! You're better off in Brooklyn...
SEAKPhotog
New member
Howdy, I live in Alaska and do a lot of cold weather, snowy stills shooting.
Gear wise, bring extra batteries and keep them in an inside pocket against your body so they stay warm. Cold batteries rapidly drain (but can often be resurrected a bit by some warmimng if need be). Careful when you go from a very cold environment to a very warm one (e.g. outside to inside a warm car or house) since the nice cold camera will collect condensation from the nice warm, moist air. Could screw up your internals. I take along a lightweight dry bag or 2 or use my LowePro Dryzone dry pack and make sure the camera and lenses, etc., all go in the bags and get sealed before heading back inside. I take the gear out once it's had a chance to gradually warm up. Frequently check your lenses for frost build up and keep them covered with a lens cover when not in use. Lens shades can also help keep the frost from settling on the lens. Careful not to breathe on the lens. If you do get frost build up, just put the lens in an inside pocket for a bit and you should be fine (but may need to clean the lens). There are some lens sleeves out there that let you wrap chemical handwarmers around the lens to keep it warm and prevent frost build up but I haven't tried them.
Photo wise, snow can glare a bunch and is highly reflective so ND filters and polarizers are helpful. Also, either use manual exposure settings or add at least a stop (probably 1-1/2 to 2 stops) of exposure if you're using an auto exposure mode and shooting snow, especially sunny snow. Auto exposure will try to underexpose well lit snow. Snow is also a great reflector of colors, like cool, blue shade. Keep that in mind when thinking about using filters. Warming filters can be a good idea.
Personal comfort wise, dress warm, and bring a bunch of chemical hand and foot warmers if you'll be out for a while. Wearing thin gloves over warmer, thicker gloves lets you strip off the warm, clumsy layer and use the camera without suffering too much
Some folks like fingerless or finger removable gloves as well. I find that wearing neoprene gloves can often work really well, especially if you also wear some thin silk or poly liners underneath. They're warm and retain a lot of dexterity. I've lately come to really appreciate good old fashioned wool for my pants and sweaters - nearly wind proof, warm as hell, keeps you warm when wet, etc.
Cheers and have fun!
Gear wise, bring extra batteries and keep them in an inside pocket against your body so they stay warm. Cold batteries rapidly drain (but can often be resurrected a bit by some warmimng if need be). Careful when you go from a very cold environment to a very warm one (e.g. outside to inside a warm car or house) since the nice cold camera will collect condensation from the nice warm, moist air. Could screw up your internals. I take along a lightweight dry bag or 2 or use my LowePro Dryzone dry pack and make sure the camera and lenses, etc., all go in the bags and get sealed before heading back inside. I take the gear out once it's had a chance to gradually warm up. Frequently check your lenses for frost build up and keep them covered with a lens cover when not in use. Lens shades can also help keep the frost from settling on the lens. Careful not to breathe on the lens. If you do get frost build up, just put the lens in an inside pocket for a bit and you should be fine (but may need to clean the lens). There are some lens sleeves out there that let you wrap chemical handwarmers around the lens to keep it warm and prevent frost build up but I haven't tried them.
Photo wise, snow can glare a bunch and is highly reflective so ND filters and polarizers are helpful. Also, either use manual exposure settings or add at least a stop (probably 1-1/2 to 2 stops) of exposure if you're using an auto exposure mode and shooting snow, especially sunny snow. Auto exposure will try to underexpose well lit snow. Snow is also a great reflector of colors, like cool, blue shade. Keep that in mind when thinking about using filters. Warming filters can be a good idea.
Personal comfort wise, dress warm, and bring a bunch of chemical hand and foot warmers if you'll be out for a while. Wearing thin gloves over warmer, thicker gloves lets you strip off the warm, clumsy layer and use the camera without suffering too much
Some folks like fingerless or finger removable gloves as well. I find that wearing neoprene gloves can often work really well, especially if you also wear some thin silk or poly liners underneath. They're warm and retain a lot of dexterity. I've lately come to really appreciate good old fashioned wool for my pants and sweaters - nearly wind proof, warm as hell, keeps you warm when wet, etc.Cheers and have fun!
David G. Smith
Steak Knife Member
Wow what a great video. I know all the places you shot. I have actually been in the Train Station to shoot before. Does make me home sick.... kinda. I'm gonna share that video on my facebook page, if you don't mind. I know a lot of ex-pats from the D that would love it.
To entry, what SEAKPhotog said!. Especially about taking a cold camera into a warm environment. Do not take a cold camera into a warm environment with sealing it up in an air tight bag(s) first and letting it warm up to the ambient temperature first. This may take patience, but don't do it. I have a f*cked camera that is now a very nice paperweight because I got in a hurry and did not let it warm up properly from a cold environment.
Be careful with the viewfinder objective lens, it may have a tendency to warm up and frost up. You may have to remove the objective lens and clean it.
derekhillier
Active member
Dont get your 5D wet, they fail very quickly be careful when bringing camera in from cold to warm room.
Derek
Derek
Thank you for this great information!Howdy, I live in Alaska and do a lot of cold weather, snowy stills shooting.
Gear wise, bring extra batteries and keep them in an inside pocket against your body so they stay warm. Cold batteries rapidly drain (but can often be resurrected a bit by some warmimng if need be). Careful when you go from a very cold environment to a very warm one (e.g. outside to inside a warm car or house) since the nice cold camera will collect condensation from the nice warm, moist air. Could screw up your internals. I take along a lightweight dry bag or 2 or use my LowePro Dryzone dry pack and make sure the camera and lenses, etc., all go in the bags and get sealed before heading back inside. I take the gear out once it's had a chance to gradually warm up. Frequently check your lenses for frost build up and keep them covered with a lens cover when not in use. Lens shades can also help keep the frost from settling on the lens. Careful not to breathe on the lens. If you do get frost build up, just put the lens in an inside pocket for a bit and you should be fine (but may need to clean the lens). There are some lens sleeves out there that let you wrap chemical handwarmers around the lens to keep it warm and prevent frost build up but I haven't tried them.
Photo wise, snow can glare a bunch and is highly reflective so ND filters and polarizers are helpful. Also, either use manual exposure settings or add at least a stop (probably 1-1/2 to 2 stops) of exposure if you're using an auto exposure mode and shooting snow, especially sunny snow. Auto exposure will try to underexpose well lit snow. Snow is also a great reflector of colors, like cool, blue shade. Keep that in mind when thinking about using filters. Warming filters can be a good idea.
Personal comfort wise, dress warm, and bring a bunch of chemical hand and foot warmers if you'll be out for a while. Wearing thin gloves over warmer, thicker gloves lets you strip off the warm, clumsy layer and use the camera without suffering too much
Cheers and have fun!
strancali
Well-known member
:grin:
