Photo Or Painting In Zero Temps

I've hiked a bit and done some shooting in zero or single digit temps. Dress for it of course. Take off the gloves for that few seconds to set the settings on the camera. Take some hand warmers along. Use a tripod. If it's below zero I don't stay outside or away form my truck for too long.

Also be sensible. If it's dangerously cold your safety is more important than a photo. -37 is far below what's considered dangerous.

Chuck, I was using a tripod. Took a lot of snaps, some came out okay, but I thought I was kind of crazy as I stood there shivering as the clouds turned pink.

Don, this is what you said, " shivering, trigger finger shaking, and can hardly hold the camera". Sounded like hand holding the camera. Even so, try using a remote shutter cable.

i would not take my camera out in that temperature, they are only rated to a certain amount. but i would mount it on a tripod with a trigger, and have hand warmers in my pockets. but i wouldn't go out with the camera in those temps, just not worth it. if your a painter - just imagine what it looks like.


----Mike Savad
http://www.MikeSavad.com

Right, Chuck. I hold the camera to brace it from the pressure necessary to push the shoot button. The camera I use is quite small, and even though it's on a tripod, it still moves when pressing the button. You're absolutely right, I need a remote shutter cable. I'm so new at photography, I use the simple approach and just use what came with the camera. I'm learning as I go. Any funny stories about the cold? Like, tripping over something and falling into the fluffy stuff?

Mike, I agree. And since I use acrylics, primarily, I think some paintings would look very realistic with ice forming in and over the paint as I go. : )

you can shoot with a 3sec timer, that is an alternate to a remote. still though it would have to be something very fantastic for me to go out and shoot then. like when a dock or lighthouse freezes over. otherwise its dangerous to the skin and camera. not worth losing the bits and pieces of my body for a photo.


----Mike Savad
http://www.MikeSavad.com

Always bring more clothes than you think you will need and always have a hood. I use glovemitts, which are gloves with the finger tips bare, but has the attached mitts that can be pulled over. The pair I have reflect body heat back and my hands are rarely cold. That being said, -37 is extreme and I would have stayed home, but you must be tougher than me! But I have been out in -10 and no problem. Winter and ice can provide some great images.

Dale, no you have the toughest award at -10. I mentioned -37 degrees recently in Fargo, ND that brought to mind this topic. I live in Ohio where it was a mere 20 degrees when I ventured out to take some photos of my paintings and realized some photographers and painters must undergo these painful excursions of temperature and climate to make a living. I'm sure the reward was worth the effort, as long as you don't lose some "pieces and body parts," as Mike Savad was saying. : )

I live in Florida - I don't worry about it. I seldom go out to take photo's if it's under 50.

It is quite fantabulous to shoot in subzero temperatures, especially around the lake, as Mother Nature creates wonderfully whimsical ice art.

I live in Florida so I don't experience cold that often, but...

Be sure to carry extra batteries and make sure they are in a warm place. The cold will cause the batteries to drain quicker.

Take sealable plastic bag that your camera and lenses will fit into. Before going back into a warm place put the camera and lenses into the bag and seal them Let the camera warm up before removing from the bag. this will prevent condensation from forming. I do the opposite when going from the air conditioning out into humid hot air.

I learned these tips before photographing an indoor exhibition of ice sculptures. Picture came out fine and the camera was unharmed.

Good information, Robert. I wondered why my battery went down so fast. Didn't think about the drain -- sort of like a car.

The coldest I have been was rather warm compared to the temps mentioned above. I have been out in the 20s and 30s but usually opt for a warmer shooting experience.

I recall it being 12 degrees (F) the morning I was on the beach waiting for the sun to rise in this photograph: https://bill.pixels.com/featured/ocean-city-sunrise-at-142nd-street-bill-swartwout.html .

Bill, that photo looks great on the various products, including the 3-D wrap around shot on the mug. You can't tell it was that cold but the overall effect does seem to be less than balmy - a great shot.