Greetings, all. I find that if I have difficulty shooting something, I keep shooting it until I find some answers. I do not care for Winter, but it poses some challenges when trying to shoot it, digitally, at least.
The snow has abundant highlights, so you seem to blow out the highlights, sillhouette everything else, etc.
Here is what I am now doing to help alleviate it. I am also very curious to hear how others battle this challenge.
1.) I set my camera to Spot Metering, and meter the snow. Why? Because once a highlight is blown out, you can't create something the camera didn't record.
2.) I underexpose slightly.
3.) I try to shoot early, or late in the day, when possible. At high noon, the lighting may not be any good.
2.) Adjust in Photoshop with Curves, Levels, Contrast, and Shadows and Highlights. You have to play with it. Experiment, but don't overdo it.
3.) Shoot manual. You will be amazed at the difference the same image is if you shoot it in P, and then shoot it manual.
4.) Auto White Balance? I do not like it. Set it to the scenes environment (cloudy, etc.)
5.) I also use a warming or orange filter on the lens. I find it helps. Winter light seems to be too blue.
6.) Take your time to compose. I know it's cold, but why freeze to death if the shot comes out looking rushed and unplanned.
All of these are with just experimentation. I have never taken a real class in my life.
So, to those that may do this on a semi to pro level, I would love to see if you wish to share your knowledge or findings. Thank you.
Great tips! Thanks, Chris. These are exactly the kinds of things I'm hoping to learn and it sure helps to have someone leading. I'm going to copy and paste this to my computer so I can go back and reread before it gets lost in the posts here.
@moncooga thanks for these tips, not much snow where I am but the tips about lighting still help, I find that sand can be very reflective and gives similar problems.
@jenlyn999 Just saw your stuff. You have a great eye for the cold! I don't know if you have Photoshop or not, but if you went in and hit Auto Levels, maybe add a little contrast, and use one of the warming filter presets it has, it'll really make them pop.
Haha Chris, you forgot the most important... use FILM! :D I've had great luck with Velvia exposing snow (in Holga where I can't adjust anything) and retaining full detail in the snow.
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Great tips! Thanks, Chris. These are exactly the kinds of things I'm hoping to learn and it sure helps to have someone leading. I'm going to copy and paste this to my computer so I can go back and reread before it gets lost in the posts here.