How unfortunate is it that some of the best photographic opportunities present themselves when it's miserably cold outside? It doesn't matter what kind of camera equipment you're using; proper preparation and knowledge of your gear and environment are essential to helping ensure success when you're out in the cold, making photographs.
Before we talk photography, let me say this: be smart. Cold causes hypothermia and frostbite. There is no potential photograph worth the damaging or deadly side effects of prolonged exposure to cold. Plan your outing, do not push yourself, and have a plan for getting warm at the end of your expedition. Also, let someone know where you're going and when you expect to be back.
Before You Go Outside
1) Batteries hate the cold as much as reptiles and other cold-blooded creatures. The cold temperatures cause degraded performance, and there are few things worse, let me tell you, than running out of battery power during a photographic outing. The Law of Murphy guarantees that your batteries will run out just before you attempt to capture the best shot of the day or night.
Head outdoors with a fresh battery and keep your spare batteries—not in your camera bag—but inside your layers of clothing to keep them warm. Now that I think of it, someone probably needs to invent some kind of chest holster for camera batteries.
2) A camera bag or camera backpack is always great for keeping your gear clean and protected from the elements. Winter weather and cold only serve to make these accessories more important. If you are out shooting, your camera will, of course, be exposed to the same cold air that is freezing your feet, but there is no way your camera will enjoy being subjected to driving snow, slush, sleet, or ice. Keep it protected!
3) Bring a large plastic bag along with your gear. I will tell you why later.
4) Gloves. Ahhh. We can send people to the moon and back, but it is really difficult to find gear for your hands that:
a) keeps your hands and fingers toasty warm.
b) allows you the dexterity to manipulate your camera's controls. Several manufacturers have tried to crack the code, and there are winter gloves that feature removable fingertips that are designed to allow you to operate your camera's control dials, buttons, and the shutter release. If you have discovered magical gloves that are perfect for operating the dials on your camera while keeping my fingers warm, please share the name of the product! In the meantime, check out this roundup of winter gloves for a hands-on review of what is available.
5) Hand Warmers. In addition to gloves, hand warmers can help keep your fingers toasty between shots without the added bulk. Once I started using electronic hand warmers, I immediately regretted not having used them sooner. #gamechanger
6) Tripod Leg Wraps. Not only are leg wraps useful to protect your tripod from the elements, they can also serve as a barrier between your hands and a very cold metal surface!
Now We Are Outside... Seriously? It's Really Cold!
Don't forget to keep your spare batteries as warm as possible. Also, if you are carrying an external flash, do not forget to keep it warm, as well. The batteries in the flash will suffer in the cold. Where is my battery-holding bandolier?
Shooting Tips
1) Some good news: Cold winter air is generally clearer than warm summer air, as it generally contains less moisture. Clear air = crispier photos. Sweet.
2) If there is snow on the ground on a bright day, watch your exposures. Snow can be one of the trickiest subjects to expose properly, sometimes fooling your meter into underexposure and other times into overexposure and a loss of detail. A common rule of thumb with digital is to expose for the brightest portions of the scene and make sure to keep your highlights from being blown out to "all white." Shadow detail may be extracted later in post-processing, while overexposed highlights cannot usually be recovered. Check out this article on proper exposure techniques for more tips on photographing snow. Another point if photographing in the bright sun: use a lens hood. Since the snow can act as a giant reflector, there is a greater chance of stray light reaching your lens and causing unwanted lens flare.
3) More good news (for photographers): Because of the lower angles of the sun (the same lower angles that make it so bloody cold), your "quality of light" is generally better throughout the day and shadows are longer (sometimes a good element for your photos). If your shooting day presents you with cloudy, overcast weather, you might also consider changing to the “Cloudy” white balance setting to add some warmth to your photos and minimize any blue cast.
4) A UV filter is an ideal tool for clearing up the appearance of haze in photographs, which is more common to winter and cold temperatures, as well as when shooting at higher altitudes. However, the UV filter's other huge benefit to photographing in snowy climates is that it protects your front lens element from snow or other elements.
Before You Go Back Inside
Frozen cold? Miserable because your toes and fingers are icy cold, yet warmed from the inside by the art you just created? There are some precautions you might wish to take before going back inside to thaw out.
1) Pull your memory card from your camera. Why? Read #2.
2) Put your camera and lens(es) into an airtight plastic bag. Why? Moisture and condensation will want to form on a cold object introduced into a warm environment. Moisture and electronics do not play well together; the plastic bag will magically sacrifice itself to the condensation process so that your camera and gear can stay dry while it warms up. Leave it inside for about two hours while you get yourself some hot cocoa, draw a warm bath, and transfer your new photos to the computer.
3) If it was especially cold and dry outside, you can put your camera on a windowsill to encourage a slower warming process for your camera.
Enjoy the winter with your camera. Stay warm. Protect your gear. But, most importantly, stay smart while you make photographs!
For more information, check out these other winter shooting tips.
What cold weather tips do you have for shooting in the cold? What has worked well for you and your gear?
