Tips For Taking Amazing Photos In Cold Weather

Right now, in Edinburgh, we are experiencing temperatures of -6C. It’s easy to want to snuggle on the sofa, turn up the heating and enjoy a hot cuppa. If you choose to do that as a photographer, you miss some of the best conditions to take stunning photos. Here are a few tips to help you get the most out of your winter photography!

Find The Right Location

The first step to taking amazing cold weather photos is finding the right location. You’ll want to choose a spot with plenty of natural light and interesting scenery. If you’re shooting in the winter, look for a location with snow-covered trees or a frozen lake. These types of locations will add a unique and beautiful element to your photos.

Layer Up

When taking photos in the cold, you’ll want to wear plenty of layers to stay warm. You can always take layers off if you’re feeling too hot, but it’s much harder to warm up after you’ve got cold. All those layers can make it tricky to work your camera’s controls. Invest in a good pair of photography gloves. There’s an excellent recommendation in this year’s Great Ideas for Christmas Presents blog from a few weeks ago. Don’t underestimate the usefulness of hand-warmers slipped inside your gloves. For just a few pennies, they’ll provide hours of heat.

Prevent Lens Fog

The third tip is to use your breath to prevent lens fog. When it’s cold outside, your breath can quickly fog up your camera lens. To avoid this, simply cup your hand over your lens when you’re not taking a photo. This will prevent your breath from getting on the lens and causing fog.

What happens if you’ve moved from the cold into your car and driven a short distance to a new location? When you take your camera out of the bag, it’s misted up. Whatever you do, don’t wipe it with a cloth – all you’ll do is spread the moisture across your lens. Instead, get an air blower, and a few puffs will evaporate the moisture.

Protect Your Gear

If you’re using a digital camera, keep it in a warm, dry place when you’re not using it. This will prevent the cold from damaging your camera. If you’re using a film camera, invest in a good quality cold-weather bag. This will keep your camera and film safe and sound.

Shoot close

It’s easy to see all the snow and frost and try and photograph huge vistas. Don’t forget to take a different perspective and go macro. There are some compelling shapes created by ice resting on the leaves of trees and plants.

Use gear that helps shooting in the cold

I love getting out in the winter sun, but my hands get just as cold as anyone else. The gear I use helps to make operating in the cold easier. The Kase Armour filter system is all magnetic, so adding filters is a breeze compared to the old ‘slot-in’ systems. My Platyball tripod head can be operated easily with thick gloves, thanks to its innovative button system to release and tighten.

Embrace The Cold

The final tip is to embrace the cold! Cold weather is a great time to take photos. The light is often beautiful, and the scenery can be stunning. So, don’t be afraid to venture out into the cold to take some fantastic photos.

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About the author

As well as running Edinburgh Photography Workshop, Rich Dyson is a professional photographer. His photographs are regularly used in newspapers such as The Times, Guardian and Daily Telegraph. He also had two solo exhibitions and was featured in a members-sponsored exhibition in the Scottish Parliament. You can see and buy his photography at richdysonphotography.com.