It’s an FAQ I get in my DMs regularly and most recently through my Substack: How to make the most of cold conditions, plan ahead so that the cold isn’t a deterrent or massive obstacle, and also how to protect camera gear in tough conditions. I thought I’d compile some tips for you all so that you can be ready for cold-weather photography and not be intimidated by the experience. Here goes!
1. Bundle up.
With high-performance gear on the market, it's becoming much easier to be
reasonably comfortable out there in the cold. Layer your clothing, buy a box of cheap heat packs and keep a box in the car. Activate the heat packs 10-15 minutes before you need them. Even better - get battery-operated hand warmers. And it doesn't matter how warm your body is, if your feet are cold, you won't last very long out there. Invest in a good pair of well-insulated boots, as well as warm socks. Don't worry about what you look like - just stay warm. There are no points for style out there: function over form! Avoid
sweating at all costs. Trust me, discomfort leads you to rush through your process, and it will show in your images.
2. Know your gear.
Bone-chilling temperatures are not ideal for figuring out how to bring up your
histogram, how to change shutter speed or operate your tripod. It's all about efficiency out there and it really helps if you're familiar with your gear, and can operate it with gloves on. If you have to, practice changing settings with mitts on in the comfort and warmth of your home.
3. Insulate metal parts.
Touch an aluminum tripod with bare hands in cold weather, and you’ll quickly learn you never want to do it again. If you’d like to save your fingerprints, prep the metal parts of gear that you might be handling without gloves. It's helpful, for example, to cover your tripod legs and knobs with some sort of insulation, such as hockey tape or foam.
4. Battery power.
It's one of my main concerns out there. I always keep two spare batteries in an inner pocket. If you're doing time-lapses or long exposures in very cold temperatures (-30C and below), I would recommend carrying tape or rubber bands so you can place hand warmers close to your battery compartment. Also, consider investing in a battery grip to keep the power going. If you are about to proceed with a time-consuming operation, like star trails or a time-lapse, make a point of switching to a full, warm battery so your process is not interrupted. Put the depleted batteries in a different pocket than the full batteries so you don’t get confused.
5. Use two camera bodies.
Changing lenses can be a real challenge in cold, wintery conditions. Handling gear in the cold is hard enough, but when you change lenses you also risk exposing your sensor to moisture and falling snow. If you have a backup body, consider going out with two cameras so you can shoot at different focal lengths without having to switch lenses.
Fellow photographer Lee Nordbye in an ice cave in the Canadian Rockies. Photo: Paul Zizka
6. Watch for moisture.
When pressing the shutter, take care not to exhale near the lens. Look away from the camera, or take a step back, before exhaling. Otherwise, you risk condensation freezing to the surface of your lens instantly. Some companies make dehumidifying lens caps which can help with that problem. Also, it’s not a bad idea to keep silica packs in your camera bag at all times, and to change them occasionally.
Depending on your gear, you may need to be cautious about drastic temperature differences, such as when you return to your heated vehicle, or go back indoors. Before exposing your gear to that warmth, place it in a sealed bag (such as a Ziploc) until it has reached room temperature. This will
prevent condensation forming on the camera and lens. Add a silica gel pack to the bag to further cut down on moisture.
7. Keep food and hot drinks handy.
Snacking will keep your body going for much longer in the cold. But if the food is hard to access you might not bother to dig it out. I like to keep something energy-rich in an easily-accessible pocket, such as nuts, dried fruit or chocolate. A thermos of hot, sweet liquid will keep you warm from the inside-out, and help you to avoid some serious consequences of the cold, such as hypothermia.
8. Be patient.
It's easy to throw in the towel when facing adverse conditions. But take it as
an opportunity to showcase your dedication and patience and to refine your systems. Fingers got too cold? Make a note to bring the handwarmers next time. Fiddling with your camera’s menus too much? Get more familiar with your gear. As you encounter hurdles in the field, make mental notes of them so you can address them before your next outing.
9. Embrace discomfort.
No matter what you do, photographing in freezing temperatures will never feel like shooting a sunset on a beach in Jamaica. But often the difference between a good photographer and a great one is the willingness to go through some discomfort to get your images. Work towards spending more and more time out there, and as you walk away with images you like, you'll be more inclined, maybe even excited, to face the cold again.
10. Take advantage of conditions.
Some unique features of the landscape occur only in cold weather – keep an eye out for them! These include methane bubbles in lakes, hoar frost, the interplay of side light and dramatic temperature differences (such as over fog over open water), icicles, long shadows, and the softening effects of an untouched blanket of snow. Sometimes this means venturing out in the coldest temperatures imaginable, but I promise you’ll go home with images you’re proud of.