Here's a quick guide on photographing in Winter and how to keep youself and your equipment safe out in the field.
Posted: 16/11/2012 - 00:00
As the weather gets colder, there can be some great opportunities for getting out and shooting frosty scenes, icy lakes and winter panoramas. Here are a few tip for winter shooting, and staying safe out in the field.
Lightweight cameras – Instead of taking all your heavyweight DSLR equipment, consider taking a mirrorless camera or a compact one to minimise the amount of weight you are carrying on potentially slippy surfaces. A compact alternative is the Pentax K-01, which will still fit all your K- mount lenses onto it directly, so you can still get great shots with a much smaller and compact body.
Rain sleeves – If you insist on taking a DSLR rather than a smaller, lightweight and perhaps waterproof camera, then make sure that it is sufficiently protected against the elements in case you drop it on snowy or wet ground. Rainsleeves are easily placed around the camera, and are adjustable to fit almost any Pentax DSLR. They won't impede on the lens and it's still relatively easy to use all your controls. For smaller cameras, a freezer bag can be used as a makeshift waterproof cover.
Waterproof tough cameras – If you plan on taking photos of running water near icy or slippy landscapes, it would be a good idea to look at using a waterproof camera, so that even if you do accidentally drop it, you won't lose your camera and your shots to water damage. The Pentax Optio WG-1 is a great choice for shooting in rugged conditions where spray from waterfalls among other things makes using a waterproof and shockproof camera a really good idea. The Option WG-1 is waterproof to 10 meters too, making it great for some alternative shots of the water. Don't go into freezing water, though, and always watch your footing when at the sides of rivers during the winter months when paths can be more dangerous.
Waterproof bag – To keep your kit nice and dry if it should rain or snow while you're out on the trail, a waterproof kit bag is a great idea. Alternatively, you could consider investing in a waterproof inner bag to keep your Pentax kit dry. If you're on a tight budget, a good quality carrier bag will do the same job.
Keep warm/ safe – It's important that you look after yourself, too, when you're out shooting. Consider crampons for your boots if you will be doing a lot of shooting on icy and snowy ground. Make sure you wrap up warm, and wear fingerless gloves if it's really cold to keep your hands warm whilst still being able to use your equipment.
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