Catching snow in photo

Dogdots · December 28, 2007

One would figure I could get snow flakes looking as beautiful in photos as it looks falling gracefully to the ground, but nope I can't.

Can someone give me some pointers. I have tried many settings, but I'm missing it :scratch

Dogdots/Mary

SloYerRoll · December 29, 2007

Start out by playing w/ your flash.

Dogdots · December 29, 2007

SloYerRoll wrote:

Start out by playing w/ your flash.

I played with and without my flash. Did catch one flake--yippie. I will keep playing around with it as it just seems to keep on snowing here.

Dogdots/Mary

SloYerRoll · December 29, 2007

Another thing to do is bump up the shutter speed to the 500+ range. It needs to be very bright outside to do this.

or..

Switch your camera to Aperture priority and start out by opening up the aperture as wide as it goes on your lens (make the f number as small as it can go). This will reduce your DOF but allow your flash to work more effectively.

Opening up your aperture will increase the DOF but the flash will have to work harder (that's what a flash was made for though)

Do you have a speedlight? If you do crank the speedlight up to full power and play around w/ the aperture. If not, there should be a setting in your camera that should allow you to set you on camera flash to full power manually.

Dogdots · December 29, 2007

SloYerRoll wrote:

Another thing to do is bump up the shutter speed to the 500+ range. It needs to be very bright outside to do this.

or..

Switch your camera to Aperture priority and start out by opening up the aperture as wide as it goes on your lens (make the f number as small as it can go). This will reduce your DOF but allow your flash to work more effectively.

Opening up your aperture will increase the DOF but the flash will have to work harder (that's what a flash was made for though)

Do you have a speedlight? If you do crank the speedlight up to full power and play around w/ the aperture. If not, there should be a setting in your camera that should allow you to set you on camera flash to full power manually.

I don't have a speedlight, but will try to open up my aperture as wide as it goes. I haven't done that yet. I have tried it in AP and everything else.

As for bumping up my shutter speed and needing it to be bright outside to do it----its been cloudy for what seems forever with 14+ inches of snow on the ground.

I did get a photo with 3 white dots in it and I have gotten photos with the snow looking like comets going thru it. Not good.

I know there is a secret to it and hopefully I will get it figured out before winter is over

Dogdots/Mary

3n-out · December 29, 2007

Dogdots wrote:

One would figure I could get snow flakes looking as beautiful in photos as it looks falling gracefully to the ground, but nope I can't.

Can someone give me some pointers. I have tried many settings, but I'm missing it

Dogdots/Mary

Mary,

I would be happy just to see snow. Hasn't snowed here in San Antonio since 1983. I haven't seen it since.

Dogdots · December 29, 2007

3n-out wrote:

Mary,

I would be happy just to see snow. Hasn't snowed here in San Antonio since 1983. I haven't seen it since.

Wow since 1983....I will send you some

We have plenty of it.

I love the snow---but not the cold that comes with it. I feel like I'm sitting in a freezer that needs to be defrosted

Dogdots/Mary

3n-out · January 1, 2008

Dogdots wrote:

Wow since 1983....I will send you some We have plenty of it.

I love the snow---but not the cold that comes with it. I feel like I'm sitting in a freezer that needs to be defrosted

Dogdots/Mary

Hey there is probably a profit to be made if you can figure out how to get snow in South Texas. I'm sure there would be a lot of happy children too.

Dogdots · January 1, 2008

3n-out wrote:

Hey there is probably a profit to be made if you can figure out how to get snow in South Texas. I'm sure there would be a lot of happy children too.

Love those refridgerator trucks

I'll just haul some down---we have so much. I watched the kids sledding the other day. They were having a blast.
Oh, to be young again.....definitely would hurt something now

Weather report....Windchill way below zero here today...I'd take some of your sunshine and heat up here

Dogdots/Mary

pathfinder · January 1, 2008

Mary, I think falling snow is best photographed when there is lots of contrast between the snowflakes and the background - flash, of course, is one way to achieve this, but may give results that do not look normal or typical, due to the intensity of the flash illumination.

While watching the snow falling here today, I had a couple thoughts.

Big flakes are much better than small ones - but we rarely get to choose the size of our snowflakes.

A dark background, indeed, a black cloth background might give more contrast to the white flakes falling in front, and offers no contrast to fool our autofocus systems into trying to focus on.

A snooted flash system, shooting at right angles to the black background, will illuminate the falling snow, and not shine any light on the back ground either. This may be the most effective means to photograph falling snow.

Dogdots · January 1, 2008

pathfinder wrote:

Mary, I think falling snow is best photographed when there is lots of contrast between the snowflakes and the background - flash, of course, is one way to achieve this, but may give results that do not look normal or typical, due to the intensity of the flash illumination.

While watching the snow falling here today, I had a couple thoughts.

Big flakes are much better than small ones - but we rarely get to choose the size of our snowflakes.

A dark background, indeed, a black cloth background might give more contrast to the white flakes falling in front, and offers no contrast to fool our autofocus systems into trying to focus on.

A snooted flash system, shooting at right angles to the black background, will illuminate the falling snow, and not shine any light on the back ground either. This may be the most effective means to photograph falling snow.

I took all my shots with an evergreen tree behind all the snow falling. As I thought that would emphasize the snowflakes. I did small flakes falling and really large beautiful flakes falling.

I have really been pondering on how to do this. I have to say that it has consumed my mind lately as thats all I've been seeing this winter....snow falling. Using a black background may be the answer. I will certainly try it. I have held a black paper behind icicles with the sun shining on them. Turned out ok, but the husbands hand kept creeping into the photo

He was my paper holder.

I tried my flash and it didn't really do anything other then add light to the picture which brightened my green tree

What is a snooted flash?

Maybe I shouldn't use the autofocus....do it manually.

Or maybe I should try not to get the snow in the photo and then I'd get snow

I thank you for your help. If I get snow I will post it.

Dogdots/Mary

Or as last resort....photoshop snow into the photo

pathfinder · January 1, 2008

Mary,

A snooted flash is just a flash with something wrapped around it to prevent the flash from spreading out - kind of like barn doors on tungsten lights. Like black aluminum foil that extends out from the flash so it does not spread to the background.

To shoot snow I think you will need to shoot in Manual mode for exposure and shutter speed, and manual focus as well. I doubt AF will do a good job focusing on falling, tumbling snowflakes.

Here are a few links about snoots, Mary

http://dslrblog.com/make-a-diy-flash-snoot

http://strobist.blogspot.com/2006/03/lighting-101-cereal-box-snoots-and.html

http://www.honlphoto.com/servlet/the-6/speedlight-strobe-flash-nikon/Detail

Your evergreens may work as a background when you shoot in Manual Mode and Manual focus.

Dogdots · January 1, 2008

pathfinder wrote:

Mary,

A snooted flash is just a flash with something wrapped around it to prevent the flash from spreading out - kind of like barn doors on tungsten lights. Like black aluminum foil that extends out from the flash so it does not spread to the background.

To shoot snow I think you will need to shoot in Manual mode for exposure and shutter speed, and manual focus as well. I doubt AF will do a good job focusing on falling, tumbling snowflakes.

Now you really have me thinking.....something wrapped around the flash. My flash is just the flash that comes on the camera. Nothing special, but I am going to play with it. This could be fun.

I was shooting in manual mode first then went to everything else the camera had to offer because I wasn't getting anything, but with the autofocus on. Never thought about turning it off. Now I will. I was hand shooting, but will use the tripod.

Dogdots/Mary

pathfinder · January 1, 2008

A tripod may not be necessary, but certainly won't hurt.

You will have to get an estimate of the exposure, to set your shutter speed and aperture, - you will want a smaller aperture for more depth of field I think. On camera flash is not what you want - the light creates no shadows with on-camera flash.

You need to get a light beam - flash or headlight, or Maglite, perpendicular to the shooting axis of your lens - You want the snowflakes side lit or maybe backlit, to help you see them clearer in your image.

Dogdots · January 1, 2008

pathfinder wrote:

A tripod may not be necessary, but certainly won't hurt.

You will have to get an estimate of the exposure, to set your shutter speed and aperture, - you will want a smaller aperture for more depth of field I think. On camera flash is not what you want - the light creates no shadows with on-camera flash.

You need to get a light beam - flash or headlight, or Maglite, perpendicular to the shooting axis of your lens - You want the snowflakes side lit or maybe backlit, to help you see them clearer in your image.

Hummm.........Makes me think of when your driving at night when the snow is falling and you see it in front of the headllights.....But when you look to the side of your lights...to the side of the road....that is where you would want to shoot your photograph...right? Or am I way off?

Kinda reminds me of a photo I took with ice crystals in the air. I took towards the sun but where the ground was in the photo you could catch some of the crystals in the photo. Not many tho.

Now my brain is churning.

Dogdots/Mary

pathfinder · January 1, 2008

Mary,

When you are driving, your head is higher than the beams from your headlights, that is why you see the snowflakes so well. You are not looking out of your headlight, like you are with on-camera flash.

That is why I suggested side-lighting.

Dogdots · January 1, 2008

pathfinder wrote:

Mary,

When you are driving, your head is higher than the beams from your headlights, that is why you see the snowflakes so well. You are not looking out of your headlight, like you are with on-camera flash.

That is why I suggested side-lighting.

I see why you suggested side lighting. But you came up with something that may be the key......get higher and take the photo with the camera pointing down. Am I off on this one?

Dogdots/Mary

pathfinder · January 2, 2008

I think if you try shooting down, you will end up shooting down into the white snow on the ground, and miss your black background, won't you?

You could use backlighting if you don't think you will like sidelighting...

Dogdots · January 2, 2008

pathfinder wrote:

I think if you try shooting down, you will end up shooting down into the white snow on the ground, and miss your black background, won't you?

You could use backlighting if you don't think you will like sidelighting...

Oh I have nothing against side lighting. I was just thinking that if you tilt the camera some it might help.

I will give all ideas a try and see what happens.

Dogdots/Mary

harryb007 · January 6, 2008

3n-out wrote:

Mary,

I would be happy just to see snow. Hasn't snowed here in San Antonio since 1983. I haven't seen it since.

Wow, deja Vu I am in Maine but was in San Antonio when it snowed in 83. I remember thinking these people cannot drive. If I remember it was not a lot of snow maybe 1-2 inches. lol thanks for the memory jog.

Dogdots · January 7, 2008

I found a photo with snowflakes in it

Sometimes I don't look at my photos and just came upon this one. Edited version is on my site--although I don't know if I like it

http://www.smugmug.com/gallery/4104896#239347658-A-LB

Dogdots/MaryKim
www.dogdotsphotography.com

Rhuarc · January 7, 2008

Dogdots wrote:

Oh I have nothing against side lighting. I was just thinking that if you tilt the camera some it might help.

I will give all ideas a try and see what happens.

Dogdots/Mary

If the flash is on the camera then the flash will just tilt the same amount the camera does. I'm going to have to try out some of these ideas the next time it snows here. Never really tried this!

Does anyone worry about shooting outdoors in snow? Any worries about the camera getting wet? And do people use lens hoods to prevent the front of the lens getting moisture on it?

pathfinder · January 7, 2008

Yes, I think carefully about camera and flashes in the rain and/or snow. My 5D went on vacation for a evening after shooting in the rain in 28 degree temp last January in an ice storm in Missouri. After drying out it fully recovered.

SO a water repellent/proof jacket for camera and lens and flash is worth considering.

Dogdots · January 7, 2008

I"ve had my camera out in minus 10 and it worked fine. I was very surprised, but I hopped out of a warm car. My camera sits in the back of the car so its not as warm as up front.

As for snow/rain. I always cover my camera when its raining. And for snow....I'm in and out quickly from the car. I wipe my camera and lens off quickly and if my lens is extended out I leave it out to air dry what ever I missed. I haven't covered it yet----and I probably should and probably will now

Haven't had any problems yet---knock on wood---

keith204 · January 7, 2008

here's one I shot a few days ago. (it's legal to post pics I took right?) sorry new here! Contrary to popular opinion, I opened my aperture a bit wider to make the snow more visible (bigger in this case). I set my speedlite on low power to barely lighten the snow.

Dogdots · January 8, 2008

keith204 wrote:

here's one I shot a few days ago. (it's legal to post pics I took right?) sorry new here! Contrary to popular opinion, I opened my aperture a bit wider to make the snow more visible (bigger in this case). I set my speedlite on low power to barely lighten the snow.

I like this---could you post your settings for me? And yes, you may post your photos

keith204 · January 8, 2008

Dogdots wrote:

I like this---could you post your settings for me? And yes, you may post your photos

40D, 1/160 sec, f/5.6, 17mm w/ 17-85IS, ISO400, 430ex flash fired manual (non ETTL) and I think I had it set at like 1/8 power.

I blew up a 20x30 of this, it looks real good except for the snowflakes...on a 20x30 the snowflakes are just huge and almost look like spots on the lens. If I were to do it again, I'd probably go with f/8 or so...but no regrets

Dogdots · January 8, 2008

keith204 wrote:

40D, 1/160 sec, f/5.6, 17mm w/ 17-85IS, ISO400, 430ex flash fired manual (non ETTL) and I think I had it set at like 1/8 power.

I blew up a 20x30 of this, it looks real good except for the snowflakes...on a 20x30 the snowflakes are just huge and almost look like spots on the lens. If I were to do it again, I'd probably go with f/8 or so...but no regrets

Thanks a bunch

I will try these settings.

Dogdots · January 8, 2008

jlw wrote:

Shoot at night near some streetlights and you'll be able to photograph the flying snowflakes caught in the light against a dark background.

If there's no streetlight handy and if you've got an extension cable for a flash, hold the flash so it cross-lights the area in front of your lens. You'll catch the snowflakes in the beam.

An easy way to keep your camera and lens dry is to sit in a car with the window down and shoot out the window! Helps keep the photographer warm as well.

The real problem I always have with snow photos is that even if you get a photo that shows the flakes really well, it never quite conveys the sensation you get from being outside during a beautiful snowfall. There are too many other sensory impressions that photography doesn't capture.

I like the idea of sitting in the car

It isn't much fun being out in the cold. I will try your idea of the snow falling under a street light or by the car lights.

Your so right---some things are best to experience and not just see in a photo. I love walking in a beautiful snowfall at night.

keith204 · January 9, 2008

Dogdots wrote:

Thanks a bunch I will try these settings.

Just go play, you have a digital right? Shoot the same scene with all kinds of different settings...you can always see the EXIF data later so you know which settings worked the best

Dogdots · January 9, 2008

keith204 wrote:

Just go play, you have a digital right? Shoot the same scene with all kinds of different settings...you can always see the EXIF data later so you know which settings worked the best

Yes...I have the XTI.

You are right---just play with the settings. Wish me luck...because we have been thawing for the last couple days...I'm hoping for snow and lots of it

Then again up here...our winter is far from over.

Catching snow in photo

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