any advice on photographing snowflakes?

[tlcmommyx4]

I was so excitied about our blizzard that hit this morning so that I could get some pictures of some snowflakes, but I just can't seem to capture them.I think part of my problem is the 45 mph wind, but there are some beautiful big snowflakes close to my door and still nothing. Do anyone have any advice for me.

 

[tlcmommyx4]

Anyone?

 

[cpbjgc]

I'll try:

I am going to suggest:

• Use a telephoto lens and try for a focal length of 70mm or above to help magnify the snowflakes.
• Use an aperture around f8 to give some sharpness.
• Use a shutter of 1/60 to 1/125 to have a bit of motion blur in the flakes.
• Focus on a background object so the flakes are the foreground of your shot.
• Make sure to adjust your exposure around +1 stop for the snow to look white and not grey.
• Try to shoot so the flakes are falling sideways through the shot, not head on towards you.

Good luck and post your results!

 

[GrillMouster]

Do you mean a shot of snow falling or a close-up detail shot of a single snowflake?

If you're trying to capture individual snowflakes, here's my recommendation.
You'll achieve best success if you control the conditions. Find an outdoor environment that's sheltered from the wind. Leave the equipment that you'll use to collect and handle the snowflakes outside for an hour to chill. If they're not cold they'll melt the snowflakes. Use dark cloth to collect snowflakes. Use paintbrush to slide big snowflakes onto a piece of glass or light-colored paper. Back-lighting the snowflakes works well. Use a macro lens/extension tube. A screw-on "close up" filter is a cheap alternative, but results won't be as good as if you used a dedicated macro lens. If you already own a point-and-shoot camera, try using it. Point-and-shoots often have good macro abilities. Get that lens really close; just a couple of inches away. Shoot.

 

[GrillMouster]

Anyone?

Next time you're in a hurry, know that Google is your friend.

http://lmgtfy.com/?q=How+to+photograph+snowflakes

 

[tlcmommyx4]

Thanks, I have never been the most patient person. The snowflakes were just so beautiful, and of course I thought there would be a quick and easy way to get these shots! Sorry for the inconvenience.

 

[Frantasmic]

What type of picture did you have in mind?

Was it a cross-section of your yard with millions of snowflakes? Or did you want a single on in detail.


I just went out at night and used a flash to get a general idea of snowfall. You get the idea, but it is also very blobby.

As you can tell from this shot, it's really a depth of field situation.

I just got lucky that a snowflake was near his tongue when I snapped the picture.

So, these are pictures that show you what not to do. If you want more definition, you'd probably need to focus on macro photography. You may want to look at dcg's pictures in the canon picture thread and the picture of the day threads. Nature and cold weather pics are that poster's forte.

 

[tlcmommyx4]

What type of picture did you have in mind?

Was it a cross-section of your yard with millions of snowflakes? Or did you want a single on in detail.


I just went out at night and used a flash to get a general idea of snowfall. You get the idea, but it is also very blobby.

As you can tell from this shot, it's really a depth of field situation.

I just got lucky that a snowflake was near his tongue when I snapped the picture.

So, these are pictures that show you what not to do. If you want more definition, you'd probably need to focus on macro photography. You may want to look at dcg's pictures in the canon picture thread and the picture of the day threads. Nature and cold weather pics are that poster's forte.

Thanks so much for the pictures, I just love the second one. I will have to try again the next time it snows here(which is not very often) to try putting someone in the shot and get some good DOF. Thanks for sharing with me

 

[Frantasmic]

I chose a dark background and upped the shutter and aperture. As you can tell, the closer flakes aren't in focus, but the further away ones are.

 

[tlcmommyx4]

I was so excitied about another chance to get some snowflakes shots. I do think that I needed a dark color back ground. So here a couple of shots of the snow falling and then a couple of individual snowflakes. Tell me what you think.

 

[mom2rtk]

I like your shot against the evergreens. I applaud your effort to get outside. I have been trying very hard NOT to go out!

 

[tlcmommyx4]

Thank you so much, I must have taken 25 shots of the snowflakes. The individual snowflakes were up against my barn. The look better no cropped , but I wanted just one by itself.