Snow Photography - Hints?

[Manta]

Obviously white balance and exposure are the big problems when shooting snow scenes. Google searches reveal contrary opinions on what works best (matrix vs spot, auto vs preset, etc) so I'd be interested to hear members views on this subject. I'll be using a D300 (+ the trusty old D70 as back-up).

Your ideas would be greatly appreciated.

[Onyx]

If you're headed to the snow this time of the year, it would likely mean you're travelling to the northern hemisphere(?!)

As a start, I'd try +1.5 stops over metered.
White balance you could try a preset - as if you won't find a suitable spot to get a reading off...
If you're off to extreme high altitudes (ie. not NZ or Aussie's piss poor molehills they call mountains) you'll tend to observe a blue shift in light, towards the upper Kelvin temp scale. Imperitive to wear eye protection, and protect your skin too. Camera stuff comes secondary.

[shakey]

There is no "standard" you can adopt. Lighting conditions vary so much. From brillant sunlight to murk. Over the last couple of years I've tried a number of settings. I mainly shoot action stuff. What I am saying maybe heresy but I think my best shots come when I shot spot or CW, no EV. I don't worry about WB. Having said that I always shot RAW and did a bit of WB adjustment, exposure comp and curves adjustment in PP.

Mostly the sun glare meant I couldn't chimp the shots (and most importantly the histogram) on the LCD (D70 at least)

Some stuff in my smugmug galleries "Sports"and "Landscapes>Snowscapes"

Here's one. Don't think I've posted it before. Apologies if I have

[Manta]

Thanks Chi and Shakey - you've pretty well answered what I was thinking anyway. As you say, Shakey, the D70 histogram is very difficult to see but i'm hoping the larger and brighter screen on the D300 will help out there. I tend to use CW metering most of the time anyway so it won't be a chore to stick with that in the majority of instances. There is so much conjecture (even in your two responses) about whether to compensate EV or not so I guess, as with most things in this game, it'll be a case of experimentation.

I wanted to have a reasonable understanding of the challenges and best solutions as, although I can fix up problems back in PP, I won't have access to my PC or photoshop for 3 weeks so I wanted to get as much right 'in camera' as I could. Be a bugger to have to go back and reshoot...

Chi - yep, definitely northern hemisphere. Flying visit to New York, staying with relos in Connecticut, up to Vermont for a few days skiing then a full day drive to Georgian Bay area, north of Toronto for teh Christmas week. Extremely low temperatures (-12deg C at Georgian Bay, -16deg C in the mountains in Vermont). Not the coldest I've experienced (skiing in -30deg C in the French Alps back in 1988) but certainly the coldest I've ever photographed in. I forgot about the UV factors at altitude and will update my cheap sunnies and ski goggles when I get over there.

Thanks guys!

[gstark]

Simon,

TTL metering will take a bit of a hammering in these sorts of conditions, especially if you're using matrix. CW, or spot (my preference) is the way to go. Watch the WB too.

up to Vermont for a

few cans of maple syrup.

Vermont is beautiful. Home of some of the best maple syrup in the world (it comes in small tins, btw) and Ben and Jerry's.

Say hi to some moose as well.

[Manta]

Mmmmmm .... maple syrup. Not sure what my Canadian sister-in-law will say about me buying it in Vermont so I'll have to hide it from her..

Will keep an eye out for moose (not that they're that hard to see). Caught a couple along the side of the road in Algonquin State Park in '93 and boy are they big! (Good thing I'm taking Macka's Tokina 12-24mm)

[radar]

Mmmmmm .... maple syrup. Not sure what my Canadian sister-in-law will say about me buying it in Vermont so I'll have to hide it from her..

Just don't buy any in Vermont, problem solved.

As Gary said about Vermont:

Home of some of the best maple syrup in the world, Canada

That was before he knew that you were actually going to THE home of the best maple syrup in the world.

Will keep an eye out for moose (not that they're that hard to see). Caught a couple along the side of the road in Algonquin State Park in '93 and boy are they big! (Good thing I'm taking Macka's Tokina 12-24mm)

If you are lucky, you may also get to see some wolves. Algonquin Provincial Park won't be far and in winter, it is a great place. If you get a chance, give a try to dog sledding, very exciting and lots of fun.

Have fun,

André

[Glen]

Simon, take a film camera and enjoy the wide dynamic range of film Feel free to borrow my 601

[gstark]

Mmmmmm .... maple syrup. Not sure what my Canadian sister-in-law will say about me buying it in Vermont so I'll have to hide it from her..

Just don't buy any in Vermont, problem solved.

As Gary said about Vermont:

Home of some of the best maple syrup in the world, Canada

That was before he knew that you were actually going to THE home of the best maple syrup in the world.

But you're prejudiced. I just like good, fattening food.

Simon, just get a good sampling of both, and we can do our own taste test.

[Manta]

Our tight time schedule means we won't get to Algonquin this time but I'm sure there'll be some great wilderness areas along the way.

Glen - Film? What's that? Isn't that what used to be all over my car when I used to park for work out at the airport??

Gary - looks like I'll be bringing some down to Sydney in January, eh? (And some Canadian stuff for Andre to taste too!)

[Onyx]

Simon, wishing you and your family a wonderful holiday experience. The New England area is absolutely gorgeous, be sure to take plenty of pics
!

[Manta]

Thanks Chi - will do! Best wishes to you and yours too.

[marcotrov]

Have a safe/good one simon Don't forget an empty duffle bag(camo of course so customs don't see it) so you can fit in all the B$H photogear you're going to get. Oh at least you won't have to worry about packing the MB-D10 grip it will just fit on to the bottom of the D300 round your neck
Merry Xmas
cheers
marco

[Manta]

Thanks Marco. I'll be thinking of you wiping the tropical sweat off your brow (and probably wishing, by week 3, that I was there!) I'm not getting too much from B&H but a new tripod will help me fend off muggers on the train back to Connecticut...

Have a great Christmas and, who knows, 2008 may see the Manta head north!

[Matt. K]

Simon
If shooting small figures against a bright white background then over expose by 1 or 2 stops. If getting in close to figures in snow then CW or spot will do the trick. Snow should not be grey or over exposed. Watch your histogram and expect it to peak almost, but not at, the right hand edge. have a wonderful time!

[Manta]

Thanks for the advice and good wishes Matt.