Photo Tip From Bella Vista Photography: Gearing up for cold weather photography

How can you take great outdoor photographs in the heart of winter? Be there. Seriously if you and your equipment are not prepared for the cold weather you either won't be outside when the conditions are perfect, or you'll be miserable and unable to concentrate. Here are some of my picks to keep you and your gear ready for the next great winter shot.

Glacier Gloves The ideal photographer's glove for the winter is water and wind pro

Premium neoprene fishing glove by Glacier Glove

of, warm yet not bulky, and gives you the ability to control your camera's buttons and dials with your thumb and index finger. Glacier Glove makes a fishing glove that I think is very good for winter photography. It's made of fleece lined neoprene and has slits for your thumb and index finger.

I combine these gloves with a polypropylene glove liner to keep my finger tips protected. These glove liners are also available from Glacier Glove.

Multiple layers of clothing is key to being comfortable.

Polypropylene Thermal Underwear Base Layer These are not your grandpa's long johns. Polypropylene is a thermoplastic polymer that draws sweat away from your skin and keeps you warm even if you get wet. So toss those old cotton long johns and get polypro thermals for your base clothing layer.

Fleece Insulation Layer

I find breathable microfleece to be a great insulating layer that adds warmth without bulk. I prefer half zip fleece tops because they allow me to regulate my body temperature by zipping up or unzipping as needed.

Wind and Water Resistant Layer

Think about a top layer that includes wind/rain pants as well as a jacket. For warm jackets people usually think about down fill, but also consider some new synthetic products like Primaloft® and Thermolite®. Check with your favorite outdoor sports store to purchase.
Finally, don't forget about your feet and your head. Wear winter weight hiking socks with insulated hiking boots. Top things off with a gortex hat that covers your ears.

What about the camera?

Bring extra batteries cold weather can temporarily kill battery life, so bring extra batteries in your jacket so you can swap out cold batteries for warm ones when necessary.

LensCoat This neoprene camera cover provides some insulation for the camera while still giving you access to camera controls and LCD screen visibility. In particular check out the LensCoat^TM BodyGuard^TM Pro CB (Clear Back)

LensCoat Soft Neoprene BodyGuard Pro CB (Clear Back) for Pro SLR & Semi Pro SLR Cameras with Optional Grips Attached - Black

by LensCoat

Electronics

Our Price: $39.99

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