Tips for shooting while actively snowing?

[spkerer]

Anyone care to share any tips about shooting when it is actively snowing? I'm not talking about taking pictures of snow after the snow has stopped, but shooting while it is actively snowing. I'll start off with a couple...

1) When coming back into a warm environment after shooting in the snow, get as much snow as you can off your gear while its still snow. Don't let it melt in the warmth.

2) At night when it is snowing, on camera flash doesn't work so well. It illuminates the snow close to the camera. I discovered this in hindsight. Also, with flash in the snow, zooming is your enemy - more snow between you and the subject.

If I get a chance during the next storm, I may see what I can do with off camera flash - but only sometimes would I have someone I could ask to hold the flash.

Here are some examples of ambient light and flash during the same snowstorm.

1. Ambient light example #1. Tree branch burning between two power lines it has sagged down to hit.
http://photos.kusterers.net/img/v1/p309206849-4.jpg

2. Ambient light example #2. Responding to a fire alarm call at an apartment complex. You can sort of see some of the closer snow flakes.
http://photos.kusterers.net/img/v8/p531642710-4.jpg

3. Flash example #1. Putting the finishing touches on a snowplow that caught fire. Need I even point out the issue with the flash?
http://photos.kusterers.net/img/v5/p54731959-4.jpg

4. Flash example #2. Grilled chicken for dinner. Rather than walk closer I zoomed. Probably a mistake with the flash.
http://photos.kusterers.net/img/v5/p481877209-4.jpg

[EugeneC]

Try holding a umbrella above your camera to try and get the flakes away

[RPCrowe]

eat the yellow snow...

But increase your exposure if there is a lot of snow on the ground. The camera will try to make it 18% gray unless you give it some extra exposure.

Protect your gear, a Kata rain Cver will work if you shoot a lot in inclement weather however an OPTECH Rainsleeve will work for occasional rainy shoots.

[Mike]

eat the yellow snow...

Mmm...lovely!! :confused::lol:

I used an umbrella last time I shot during snow, bit of a juggling act but it worked ok.

Keep a lens cloth handy as you'll be wiping your front element quite a bit - snow will still hit it no matter how much you try to protect it.

[Mark1]

Off camera flash is your best bet. Ambient shots are not a problem. But when you add an on camera flash the snow that is close to the lens totally blows out and you get orbs. Move the flash to the side and the snow will be a lot more evenly lit and there will be no direct reflection back into the flash. An off camera flash turned all the way down will still pop the flakes and not effect the ambient light too much.

This is not easy to do on the fly, but snow fall is tough to over come easily with flash.

This is by no means a great shot. I made it really only as a documentary shot for my girls to look back at years from now and remember "the big snow". I simply put the flash in the kitchen window and shot out the sliding door. Triggered the flash with a $30 wireless remote. (the resize is killing it)

http://ind-img.com/pics/snowfall.jpg