How to shoot when it is snowing (right now !)

[Raj]

Its snowing right now in Tokyo which is kind of rare. I want to take this opportunity to take some pictures. Any tips for this ? I havent shot snow before so any advise is much appriciated. I will use my sigma & will carry EF 50 mm also.

Right now rushing to office but hope to get a small break when I can quickly go out to take some shots.

Any help appriciated.

Cheers
- Raj

[DocFrankenstein]

If you're metering off the snow, then overexpose by a stop or two...

Or shoot... look at histogram... adjust... LOL

[Raj]

Any precaution I should take for my camera ? My office is warm & outside will be cold, can this cause consendsation problem ? + as long as I make sure nothing goes in camera, is it safe enough to change lenses outside ?

Doc, thanks for the advice. Though last I shot snow on a mountain top, I could get exposure right but contrast was not enough in snowy areas, that it was all white like washed out, no details in snowy area...

[cactusclay]

I think I read somewhere, to put the camera and lenses in a zip loc, till they reach the ambient temp, so as to eliminate condesation build up.

[eastcoast909]

No problem if you not going to be outside for a long period of time 5 minutes or so should be no problem as the camera will not have time to cool down too much. Normally you would like to let the camera and lens adjust to the ambient conditions but this should be ok. I carry my camera under my coat when I am outside and then take it out to shoot. No problems with condensation here and its normally around -5 to -10 C.

Go get some pictures!

[Raj]

No problem if you not going to be outside for a long period of time 5 minutes or so should be no problem as the camera will not have time to cool down too much. Normally you would like to let the camera and lens adjust to the ambient conditions but this should be ok. I carry my camera under my coat when I am outside and then take it out to shoot. No problems with condensation here and its normally around -5 to -10 C.

Go get some pictures!

Thanks. Thats exactly what I want to do :-: but this #%$$%^$$^% boss of mine is right on my head !:evil: :evil: :evil: :evil: Its so unfortunate that people dont understand other's (& precisely MY! ;) ) priorties :evil:

[Raj]

OK, I just couldnt resist it so I asked my boss if it was ok to go out shooting some pics to which he agreed. I dashed out shot some 20-25 mins only to run out of my 1 GB card .. :-(
& I have no idea what I have done, there was no time to think technique so I just shot in Av where I wanted shallow DOF & Tv in most places with high shutter & iso 400 to freeze falling snow. Will have to wait till evening to see resuls, will post if anything turns out good ...

[scottbergerphoto]

Thanks. Thats exactly what I want to do :-: but this #%$$%^$$^% boss of mine is right on my head !:evil: :evil: :evil: :evil: Its so unfortunate that people dont understand other's (& precisely MY! ;) ) priorties :evil:
You are very brave to make that kind of post considering that most businesses track internet usage. ;)

[CaseyScofield]

You are very brave to make that kind of post considering that most businesses track internet usage. ;)

Agreeing with you Scott. The walls have eyes...:rolleyes:

[Persian-Rice]

Probably a little late, but meter the palm of your hand, try to get fast shutter so you can freeze it then keep slowing it down till you get some nice blur as well.

[Raj]

Scott & Casey, you are scaring me :eyes I think I am stupid not brave ;)

Persian Rice, thanks for your advise, I am looking fo suggestions like these. Unfortunately its late. It stopped snowing some 2 hrs back. Weather forcast says it *may* snow again on Sunday. I will see if I can use advises then.