Photo by Allen Macartney
CAMPING
Keep your camera close to your heart this winter By Allen Macartney
W
INTER. Many people find it a frustrating season to take photographs. Often the glittering snow covering a fir tree turns out a dull, disappointing grey. What happened, you wonder, to the scene that made your heart race with excitement? In other photos, your human subjects appear as dark as shadows against a brilliant background. Occasionally, just after you press down on the shutter, the camera mirror flips up and your lens goes black. Your batteries are frozen. Dead. Winter puts extra stress on cameras, film and photographers. You might expect frozen batteries if the temperature plunges, and film can crack if you don’t handle it carefully on cold days. Here are some tips to make this season a great time to capture that perfect image. The first rule of winter photography has nothing to do with your camera. It involves planning to stay warm. Dress for the occasion. Don a heavy parka if it’s really cold, gloves or mitts, and a warm toque. www.OttawaOutdoors.ca
No matter how good your equipment is, if you’re freezing inside, few of your photos will reflect the wonder and dynamic colours you’re trying to express on film. Dress in layers—always a basic rule for enjoying cold weather activities. Each layer will act as an insulating air pocket, trapping warmth and keeping you comfortable. (Read more about how to dress for winter in “Don’t Get Freeze Dried This Winter” on page 20.) • Avoid those middle-grey blues There’s nothing worse than getting your film back from the developer and seeing that all your cherished, postcard-perfect snow scenes look muddy grey. What happened? Your camera’s light meter exposes film for “middle grey”—a compromise that usually results in perfectly balanced colours. But problems creep in with bright winter snow scenes. Your camera chooses an exposure that will render the white as middle grey. Don’t panic. It is easy enough to compensate once you
