Snow Storm Photo

[bostran1]

I live in Boston and we are having what looks to be quite a snow storm out here. Below is a quick photo I snapped of the snow. But does anyone have any ideas of things to shoot during a snow storm? What methods of shooting would you recommend (aperture or shutter speeds, etc). What sort of white balance do you use? Any and all ideas/comments are appreciated!

 

[SharonLowe]

I live in Boston and we are having what looks to be quite a snow storm out here. Below is a quick photo I snapped of the snow. But does anyone have any ideas of things to shoot during a snow storm? What methods of shooting would you recommend (aperture or shutter speeds, etc). What sort of white balance do you use? Any and all ideas/comments are appreciated!

Bostran - that is an understatement. I'm in one of the W towns west and yes, it is quite a storm. Normally, the camera tries to meter for a neutral grey so snow photos tend to come out underexposed. Yours looks overexposed and I can't tell from your EXIF what you did post processing. I will say that you do not need to be shooting at f/29, which resulted in your 3.2 second exposure. With a long exposure like that during a storm, the snow falling turns to sheets and can result in overexposures like you have. I would shoot at something you can handhold and try a +1 EV. Also, of course, you have to be careful of the snow on your camera - a good rain cover or even a shower cap can help. This is also one time to put a good UV filter on to protect the lens.

Here is one I did a few years ago at the Public Garden. Horrendous storm similar to today's and most images had snow "blobs" but I was happy with this one.

http://psc.photoshelter.com/image/I000051768

 

[bostran1]

Sharon, that is a great photo of the public garden!

As for the EXIF in my photo, I was just messing around and wanted to see the effect of a longer shutter speed. I was going for something foggy. But it definitely over-exposed.

I am going to see what I can get tonight (assuming it lightens up a bit!). I will also give it a shot with the +1 EV. Thanks for the ideas!

PS my girlfriend works in Framingham and lives in Brighton and it has taken her nearly 3 hours to get home (she's close but not here yet!)

 

[AndrewWG]

I am in a W town to the south and we are getting hammered with snow. Thankfully all of us are home and warm. I will be out with the snowblower in a couple hours. That should be fun. Better than shoveling! I"m sure all my neighbors will be super friendly to me tonight...

 

[bostran1]

My girlfriend is still on the road, we're going on 4.5 hours now and she still a ways away. What a mess!

 

[Pea-n-Me]

I'm in the midst of it also. I thought about going out for some pictures, then thought better of it. I stayed in and made a fish chowder instead.

 

[SharonLowe]

I've been taking a photo of the same scene about every hour since the snow started. Will post when I get them processed. Dark now, so much harder. I also did some of our Christmas decorations which are fun in the snow.

Husband is on the commuter rail. Was on the 4:30 train but an hour plus later, I think it is still at South Station.

Saw a guy riding his Bike Friday (a portable, collapsible bike for those who've never heard of one) down the road. Think he was brilliant because all the cars were stuck in traffic. I'm guessing he had it at his office and decided it was faster than trying to drive home.

Ben - I hope her gas tank was full!

 

[AndrewWG]

Well, instead of taking pics of the snow, I decided to try the Christmas tree. I don't really like the way it came out, but I wanted it to be just the lights on the tree. I just don't have enough lights is what it comes down to. Also, the angel on top isn't lit, so I shined a flashlight on her. I think that came out pretty good considering the situation. One thing that is cool I thought was that the lights look like stars for some reason. Is that an aperture thing? It was shot at f8 1.3 sec exposure (I think) Here is the pic...

Actually, the angel doesn't look that great, but she is ALOT lighter than she was without the flashlight help.

 

[bostran1]

I've been taking a photo of the same scene about every hour since the snow started. Will post when I get them processed. Dark now, so much harder. I also did some of our Christmas decorations which are fun in the snow.

Husband is on the commuter rail. Was on the 4:30 train but an hour plus later, I think it is still at South Station.

Saw a guy riding his Bike Friday (a portable, collapsible bike for those who've never heard of one) down the road. Think he was brilliant because all the cars were stuck in traffic. I'm guessing he had it at his office and decided it was faster than trying to drive home.

Ben - I hope her gas tank was full!

I wish I had thought of that! I just got in from the first round of shoveling out the car and it wasn't too bad but there are at least 6 inches on the ground out here.

It ended up taking her 5.5 hours to get home! Fortunately, dinner was waiting and she is relaxing now.

 

[SharonLowe]

Well, instead of taking pics of the snow, I decided to try the Christmas tree. I don't really like the way it came out, but I wanted it to be just the lights on the tree. I just don't have enough lights is what it comes down to. Also, the angel on top isn't lit, so I shined a flashlight on her. I think that came out pretty good considering the situation. One thing that is cool I thought was that the lights look like stars for some reason. Is that an aperture thing? It was shot at f8 1.3 sec exposure (I think) Here is the pic...


Actually, the angel doesn't look that great, but she is ALOT lighter than she was without the flashlight help.

yes, the starry look is an aperture thing. Try it at f/16 and you will get some really starry looking lights. Shoot it at f/2.8 and you won't see any starry look at all.

How long did you shine the light? If the flashlight wasn't very strong, you should shine it the whole time. The other option is to pop your flash at it (handheld, not on your camera) - brighter light typically and likely would have only need to do it once, maybe twice.

The dark areas are fooling your exposure. Increase the exposure a bit to compensate for the dark areas. Will help with the angel too.

 

[Pea-n-Me]

Nice tree Andy!

 

[Pea-n-Me]

So we ventured out for a little spin. Very pretty outside!

 

[bostran1]

Those are some great shots! Here are a few of mine. I have more here.





According to my leg, we had about 7 inches of snow:

 

[Pea-n-Me]

According to my leg

Nice pictures! Just think - we get to do it all again on Saturday!

 

[bostran1]

Nice pictures! Just think - we get to do it all again on Saturday!

I know! I can hardly wait! Although, my shoveling is all done now so I'm happy!

 

[Amy]

You know, I see all these great shots that you folks in the Boston area share on the DIS, and I always think "maybe we should move to New England." And then it's winter and I hear about all the snow! Yes, it's gorgeous, but only when you don't have to be anywhere. Those long commutes to/from work.....YUK!

At least here in Pittsburgh, we don't get as many bad winter storms as you guys do. This weekend they're saying it all depends on the track of the storm - we could get at little as an inch or two, or as much as 6 inches.

 

[MarkBarbieri]

What is this "snow" you speak of?

I haven't seen snow up close in years...probably not since XMas of '04. We're heading to Colorado in about a week, so we'll see some soon. I like visiting snow, but I'm kind of glad that it doesn't visit me.

 

[AndrewWG]

yes, the starry look is an aperture thing. Try it at f/16 and you will get some really starry looking lights. Shoot it at f/2.8 and you won't see any starry look at all.

How long did you shine the light? If the flashlight wasn't very strong, you should shine it the whole time. The other option is to pop your flash at it (handheld, not on your camera) - brighter light typically and likely would have only need to do it once, maybe twice.

The dark areas are fooling your exposure. Increase the exposure a bit to compensate for the dark areas. Will help with the angel too.

Sharon,

I didn't even see your post last night. Thanks for explaining that. I tried longer exposures, but didn't like the look of it as much. I wanted it to look basically the way I saw it. It was dark in the room with just the Christmas tree lights on. The ones with longer exposures did look better with the dark areas though.

I did shine the flash light constantly. Usually it is a VERY bright flashlight, but the batteries are dying (it takes 8 AA's). It was good I took this pic because I changed the batteries before bed and low and behold, the electricity went out during the night. DD does NOT like that to say the least, but with a nice fresh flash light, she survives just fine.

I will try different things with the tree this weekend. Such a fun and relaxing subject to shoot. Never complains or anything! I had fun trying the different WB settings to get this one. Then I went into PSE and made it very slightly less on the WB. That made it almost perfect.

Thanks again. I will try more things and post some this weekend. I really want to go to f16 and get a real starry tree!

 

[handicap18]

Ok, not for nothin, but that stormed SUCKED! I left Braintree at 12:45 and walked into my house in Burlington at 4:55! Thing were good till I got to the Tunnel. Then on the Zachim it started backing up, but it moved, slowly, but it moved. Once on 128 south it turned into a parking lot. I only have to go 2 miles or so on 128. GRRRR. But the worst part were the backroads. On the last 1 mile stretch before my driveway it took 50 minutes. 1 section that is normally a 55 second drive took just under 50 minutes.

I think that everyone that lives in Florida moved to the Boston area on Wednesday, then they saw the snow on Thursday and paniced. The supermarkets were out of control on Thursday morning. Panic and chaos! I never knew people needed so much food for 2 meals.

OH MY GOD! I NEED 5 GALLONS OF MILK!! OH NO FLUFFY NEED CAT FOOD! WE ONLY HAVE 10 CANS LEFT! WHAT!! WE ONLY HAVE 2 LOAFS OF BREAD!! GO TO THE STORE AND GET 5 MORE LOAFS!! OH AND WHILE YOUR THERE GET 5LBS OF HAM, 2LBS OF ROAST BEEF and 2LBS OF TURKEY!! THAT SHOULD HOLD US TILL THE STORM BLOWS OVER BY TOMORROW MORNING!!! OH WE NEED EGGS!! GET 3 DOZEN!

I know its good for business, but people OVER panic for snow storms. It out of control! Tomorrow is going to suck again. With this next storm being forcast and all the food everyone ate last night and today, they'll do it all over again.

If your in the Greater Boston area, go out tonight and do your shopping. Other wise if I see you in one of my stores I WILL run you over with a pallet of salsa!!!

Ok rant over.

I woud have liked to have taken some pics yesturday, but never got the chance. I love snow like this (light, fluffy and wet) as it sticks to the trees and makes great picture ops. Especially on those roads where the trees from each side of the road are so big that they touch each other. One of these days I'll get some good storm photos.

I think we ended up with about 9 inches. Half my outdoor Christmas decorations are burried in snow!

 

[Disney MAINEiac]

What is this "snow" you speak of?

I haven't seen snow up close in years...probably not since XMas of '04. We're heading to Colorado in about a week, so we'll see some soon. I like visiting snow, but I'm kind of glad that it doesn't visit me.

rub it in! we are supposed to get blasted by a nor'easter on sunday I keep wondering why I live in Maine