Winter Photography

We have had much more snow this year than usual. It has let us get out on the weekends and take snow pictures. There are a couple of things to keep in mind. First, be prepared. Have your batteries fully charged, as they dissipate quickly. Don't keep cameras or lenses in the warm moist areas and then go out in the cold, as they will fog or ice up. Keep your camera out, not inside a parka. Dress appropriately. Too many people overdress. Figure out if you are going to be stationary or moving for the most part. I try to wear layers of wicking fabric, either base layers and then fleece, but not cotton. Cotton traps water and sweat and makes you colder. I try to dress in layers, and use a parka as a shell. I like a hood so that If I get cold I can pull it on. I have snow pants over fleece long underwear, and wool or poly socks. I wear base layer gloves of poly under fleece mittens. I found convertible mittens at EMS which have half fingers, and the mitten and thumb covers pull back and lock with magnets. Warm and you can use your fingers. I wear medium weight boots (Columbia) which are big enough to wear with socks. I had a pair that were too small, and got a touch of frostbite on a small toe.

I love to snowshoe. I have not had much opportunity in the past two years, but this year has been great. You can get on trails or off trails. It is as easy as walking, and I don't take poles. I carry my tripod over my shoulder, and have used it extended a few times to balance me or push me out of deep snow. I use a carbon fiber Gitzo tripod, and it is nice to carry and hold in the cold. When you snowshoe, don't over dress. You will build up sweat. My parka and my pants both have zippers to vent out sweat, and I often leave it a bit open when exerting. When I stop to shoot, I zip up and pull the hood over if I am going to stand to wait for a shot.

Here are some pictures from this weekend. I love going to the Morse Estate in Poughkeepsie, as the trails are left ungroomed, or just packed by a snowmobile for the cross country skiers. You can leave the path and go in powder, or stay on the packed trails. Great streams, ice, ponds, and light.