We’re solidly into the end of fall, meaning it’s your last chance to get a thousand digital photos of pumpkins and leaves and other seasonal things and the first look at what cold terrors this year will bring. Whether it’s Autumnal imagery that calls to you or you want to create digital scan-worthy winterscapes with your camera, getting the best shots and preserving the integrity of your camera requires specific knowledge and planning. And of course, you have to think ahead to keep yourself comfortable so you don’t miss the perfect photo because your teeth are chattering or you’re bending over for a thermos sip of hot tea.
The first absolute necessity if you want to take great shots is having a working camera. Dramatic temperature changes and extreme temperatures in general cause all kinds of camera problems. When you leave your home or car for the cold outdoors, you don’t have to worry about anything right off the bat. Condensation is of very little concern when taking your camera from warm to cold because you’ll be moving to an area where the air holds less moisture. It’s probably a good idea to make the transition slowly anyway, because the air inside the camera could hold a bit of moisture. If you can either let the camera cool off slowly in the car or on a screened-in porch so the temperature change is gradual, you should be fine.
Regardless, you certainly have to worry about the cold’s effect on battery life. Batteries die faster when they’re cold, especially when the temperature gets below 50 degrees. So you need to prepare by bringing extra batteries even if you’re not going to be shooting for too long. You should keep those batteries warm in a shirt or pants pocket so they don’t drain from the cold. Do the same with your camera, using body heat to keep it warm between shots. Also, be cautious about where you exhale if the temperature is close to or below freezing, because the moisture in your breath could lead to condensation or even freeze on the camera, damaging it.
You need to pay attention to keeping yourself warm too. Regardless of the time of year, a mild wind breaker or rain jacket will always serve you well because it can go over other layers and keep out the elements that most often contribute to physical discomfort. Layers are the most effective way to dress anyway, because they give you the most control over your body temperature. Removing one layer will create a very small change in temperature so you can cool off or get warmer as needed. Think about the area where you’re going to shoot so you’re prepared for any obstacles that could result from weather. If there has been rain or snow, wear waterproof boots so you can walk around unimpeded and find the right spot for the perfect shot. Also consider how the light behaves at this time of the year so you go to the shoot location at the right time of day. And be aware of precipitation, as moisture can kill the camera and ruin your chances for beautiful new digital photos.
After you’re done shooting and ready to get inside, condensation becomes a concern. The cold camera will pull moisture out of the warmer air, which can be disastrous especially for DSLR cameras full of circuits. Bring a zip-seal plastic bag with you on the shoot. Put the camera inside the bag when you’re done before moving indoors. The condensation will collect on the outside of the bag instead of the camera. If you don’t have that option you can try to warm up the camera slowly. For example, when you are packing up, put the camera as close to your body as possible so it starts to warm up, and then in the car either keep it in your zipped up jacket or open the window and keep it near the cold air coming in. Then, leave the camera on a windowsill with the window cracked a bit so it will not be immersed in warm air as it heats up.
When you want to get the best digital photos the changing seasons have to offer, a little bit of forethought and planning is necessary or the unpredictable weather can cause problems. Just be wary of damage to your camera or conditions that could make shooting uncomfortable and you will put yourself in a position to take awesome fall and winter photos.
Tags: camera, digital photo, digital photography, DSLR, scan
