Since we are tightly nestled into winter’s grasp, I thought now would be a good time to help my fellow photographers prep for some unavoidable cold weather photography. If you thought that you could just grab your camera and just run outside and knock a photo shoot out of the park, you might be in for a surprise. Here are a few tips for shooting in cold weather that could help make this a bit easier!
Prep the Camera
Prepare your camera for the temperature changes from being warm to being cold by leaving your camera in the bag, but loosening the top. This will allow some of the colder air to come in and the temperature changes to be more gradual. This will keep condensation from forming. Do the same thing when bringing your gear in from the cold.
Take Care of Your Batteries
Make sure your batteries are fully charged, and if you bring an extra set, keep those close to your body. The cold saps power quickly and is a cold weather photography killer. More accurately, it slows down the movement of electrons and the chemical process that takes place in order to produce energy. It is why you want to store alkaline batteries in the fridge. If you only have one battery and it drains too quickly because of the cold, just put it in your pocket and warm it back up with your body heat. It will regain some charge.
Plan for Lens Changes
Avoid changing lenses outdoors in the snow, or even the presence of a snowy environment. The last thing you want is for any moisture to gain access to the inside of your camera.
Minimize Exposure
I’m not talking about the exposure of your images. I mean minimize the amount of exposure your equipment has to the elements. Even pro cameras, that are environmentally sealed, need some help. Consider a cheap rain cover for an added extra layer of protection. I’ve seen people use gallon sized storage bags with a hole cut out for the lens. Spending a fortune isn’t necessary but make sure you have a solution that keeps your gear in tip-top shape after a day of cold weather photography.
Frigid Fingers
Fingerless gloves allow you to keep your hands warm, but still give you the touch needed for buttons and dials on your camera. However, this is depending on how cold it is. Extreme temperatures can result in frost bite. So use good judgement here.
As always, thanks for stopping by and spending a few minutes with me this week. If you like what you’ve read here, please subscribe and share via the social media links. You can also find MTM Photography on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram so be sure to check out those pages! I’ll see ya next week!
