Photographing During A Snow Fall

[Andrew O'Neill]

We got quite a bit of snow a few weeks ago, even enjoyed a two-day holiday as the schools were closed. Took advantage, and went out with the 8x10.

 

[MattKing]

I'll view this later Andrew - looking forward to it!
You should also do one about "Driving in the Lower Mainland During a Snowfall". I think your "video" sense of humour would be well suited to that as well.

 

[Sirius Glass]

When you are in snow conditions like that, hang your camera bag under the tripod:

1. So you can find it in the snow.
2. Keep the snow outside the camera bag.
3. Added weight to the bag in case the wind comes up, not needed this time.
4. So you do not loose things.

 

[Sirius Glass]

I have trouble following your calculations using audio only during the videos. If you would show the calculations on a white board, it would be easier to follow and provide an audit trail for you. I would have started with an incident reading or Zone V off my hand based on my experiences taking photographs skiing.

 

[Andrew O'Neill]

I have trouble following your calculations using audio only during the videos. If you would show the calculations on a white board, it would be easier to follow and provide an audit trail for you.

I'll write it in the snow next time

When you are in snow conditions like that, hang your camera bag under the tripod:

1. So you can find it in the snow.
2. Keep the snow outside the camera bag.
3. Added weight to the bag in case the wind comes up, not needed this time.
4. So you do not loose things.

The F.64 is too big to hang under the tripod, but I should have kept it on the ground, under the camera. That would have provided some protection... But even hanging would be tricky as the snow was coming down sideways.

 

[Andrew O'Neill]

I'll view this later Andrew - looking forward to it!
You should also do one about "Driving in the Lower Mainland During a Snowfall". I think your "video" sense of humour would be well suited to that as well.

Now that would be fun! Or I could just sit in the local Timmies, and film the drivers slide past

 

[Sirius Glass]

I'll write it in the snow next time


The F.64 is too big to hang under the tripod, but I should have kept it on the ground, under the camera. That would have provided some protection... But even hanging would be tricky as the snow was coming down sideways.

Or write it in the air.

 

[Don_ih]

I'll write it in the snow next time

In yellow?

 

[Andrew O'Neill]

In yellow?

Naturally. I'll have to drink lots of tea before hand, as there would be a lot of writing to be done!

 

[koraks]

I'll have to drink lots of tea before hand

The contrast will be piss poor if you do that.
Try beetroot juice. It'll freak out the neighbors, too!

 

[Andrew O'Neill]

 

[Sal Santamaura]

Andy, the warm tone on that XTOL negative isn't a result of the developer being old. Both negatives are of relatively high density. XTOL has always given warm tones in high density areas. It's also associated with "mushier" grain and lower acutance compared to your FX-55 negative.

The only other technical nuisance comment I can provide is to remind you that there are things called hand warmers available for your pockets. Placing your hands in there intermittently will prevent them from getting red or, even worse, frostbitten. Putting one under your cap might even avoid exposure calculation errors.

 

[mshchem]

Great video. I think you have some nice negatives for some Azo-like paper and a bit of a blue black toner. Selenium or maybe Kodak Blue gold chloride???

Thanks for sharing. Maybe we need video event recording so we can figure out what to do when we return to the darkroom
Well done!

 

[Andrew O'Neill]

Andy, the warm tone on that XTOL negative isn't a result of the developer being old. Both negatives are of relatively high density. XTOL has always given warm tones in high density areas. It's also associated with "mushier" grain and lower acutance compared to your FX-55 negative.

The only other technical nuisance comment I can provide is to remind you that there are things called hand warmers available for your pockets. Placing your hands in there intermittently will prevent them from getting red or, even worse, frostbitten. Putting one under your cap might even avoid exposure calculation errors.

That's interesting, Sal. Thanks! And hand warmers are for wimps (pssst... do you know where I can buy some? )

 

[Sirius Glass]

That's interesting, Sal. Thanks! And hand warmers are for wimps (pssst... do you know where I can buy some? )

I "discovered" gauntlet ski/snowboard gloves with internal liners in Banff years ago. They are great with or without the chemical hand warmer packets in cold weather.

 

[Sal Santamaura]

That's interesting, Sal. Thanks! And hand warmers are for wimps (pssst... do you know where I can buy some? )

How about here:

Amazon.ca : hand warmer

I even found the URL for your own country.

 

[Don_ih]

hand warmers are for wimps

That they are. @Andrew O'Neill - they sell them at Home Hardware.

You guys should try working with your hands outside in the winter. Taking pictures is a breeze.

 

[Rick A]

You can pick these up for super cheap.

 

[chuckroast]

We got quite a bit of snow a few weeks ago, even enjoyed a two-day holiday as the schools were closed. Took advantage, and went out with the 8x10.

One of my favorite memories is shooting late afternoon with my Wisner 4x5 in the UP area of Wisconsin. It was about -15F as I recall - so cold that the bellows were rather stiff. I was wearing heavy weather overalls and a warm jacket and up to my waist (and the middle of the tripod) in a snow drift. Glorious stuff ...l got at least one memorable photograph from that.

 

[Andrew O'Neill]

One of my favorite memories is shooting late afternoon with my Wisner 4x5 in the UP area of Wisconsin. It was about -15F as I recall - so cold that the bellows were rather stiff. I was wearing heavy weather overalls and a warm jacket and up to my waist (and the middle of the tripod) in a snow drift. Glorious stuff ...l got at least one memorable photograph from that.

That's -26C. That's DAMN cold! I haven't experienced those temps since growing up on the Canadian Prairies!

 

[Vaughn]

Excellent use of one's time!

In Eastern WA, I have wandered around in the snow and heavy fog (but not snowing) at -7C with the 4x5. I think that is about as cold as I want to go. It was interesting -- stayed one temperature for several days/nights of heavy fog...ice crystals on everything. In Central WA, I have photographed at 43C, hiking around with the 8x10. Another beast altogether!

 

[chuckroast]

That's -26C. That's DAMN cold! I haven't experienced those temps since growing up on the Canadian Prairies!

I used to live on the Canadian Prairies as a child, but it was too warm, so we moved to Alaska

I do not know the exact temp on the day in question - -15F is a best guess as I recall - but it was definitely chilly. I smile very time I look at that photograph.

 

[Andrew O'Neill]

I used to live on the Canadian Prairies as a child, but it was too warm, so we moved to Alaska

I do not know the exact temp on the day in question - -15F is a best guess as I recall - but it was definitely chilly. I smile very time I look at that photograph.

Where about on the prairies?

 

[chuckroast]

Two Hills, Alberta

 

[Andrew O'Neill]

Two Hills, Alberta

I know it. It's between my hometown of Saskatoon, and Edmonton.