Moving here from Colorado, I adore the white fluffy stuff. It instantly reminds me of fresh powder, bluebird days, and long downhill runs on my favorite hill. We don’t get it as often here in Kansas City as I wish, and when we do it isn’t always the most ideal weather to be playing outside. So when there is the rare magical alignment of beautiful powder and bearable temps, I quickly bundle up my two boys and GO OUT!!!
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Wait, did I just say quickly? Scratch that… I meant to say: I change baby’s diaper; get my preschooler to use the restroom; round up 3 sets of snow pants, coats, socks, boots, hats and gloves (OHHHHH children’s gloves! The most challenging garment of parenting); we waddle outside; and if I am lucky enough to have a free finger I try to snatch my camera on the way out.
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We have a great sledding hill in the backyard. The amount of snow we received last week turned our run into a luge with packed sidewalls and an ice-coated track. It is marvelously dangerous – there is an absolute need for a ‘catcher’ at the bottom to grab the sled in the moments before it flies over the neighbor’s rock wall.
With all the fun to be had outside this time of year, it is a wonderful opportunity to photograph your favorite snow-memories! Thankfully, I know someone who has a few camera tips and is willing to share 😉
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Adrienne’s Advice | Get your camera ready, BEFORE bundling up- & remember to prepare your camera for the conditions. Below are a few pointers to help you get the most out of the snow! (Definately bundle, dress in layers & TUCK your pants into your boots- once water breaks the seal; You’re Ice!!)
Start with a fresh battery (extreme weather can drain batteries) & keep silica packs in your camera bag to help level out the moisture. * Helps reduce lens fogging & condensation that occurs when you take your camera from warm to cold.
- Snow is bright & reflective- so modify your ISO, somewhere around 400 is a good place to start. (remember, your camera will try to interpret the ‘white’ snow as middle gray. Sometimes underexposing is helpful with bright situations.)
- You’ll also notice snow is blue in the shadows, keep this in mind & try to avoid your subjects in direct shadow. The white of the snow will reflect light back onto their faces, try to watch wait & anticipate before snapping the trigger!
- Decide to use Aperature or Shutter Priority. Changes are, your shutter speed will be fast enough to keep up with (you’ll want a shutter speed of 200+ to freeze the action
- BE SAFE! It’s easy to get lost behind the camera & loose your footing, it’s happened to me more than once (a broken hand is worse than a broken camera!)
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