002 - Canadian Winter Photography Special Part 1
Episode 2 of the Travel and Adventure Photography School Podcast! Winter is one of my favourite times to take photographs. The world looks magical, all covered in snow, and there are some fantastic things you can only photograph when it gets cold. We understand that many people dislike being out when the snow is flying, but given the proper preparation, you can have a great time taking photographs in the cold and creating unique images.
So join us for this special two-part series about Winter Photography. In part 1, we cover things that you need to have and think about before heading out to shoot in the snow. We cover the gear you should have with you, the clothing you should wear, and the type of carry system that works in winter.
Three reasons winter photography is awesome
There are photographs you can only take when the temperature heads into the negatives
Snow changes the way landscapes look, giving you new shots and new perspectives
There are very few other people out; take advantage of the quiet and stillness
Things to look for in your bag/backpack
Made from a durable and weather-resistant material
Waterproof bottom
How is your gear accessed?
Enough space for extras beyond your camera kit
The bags I use:
Peak Design Everyday Messenger Bag
F-Stop Gear Loka UL
2022 update: I changed to the Shimoda Explore V2 30L
What else should you bring?
Water/Food
Extra Layers
Microfibre Towel
Mini air-blower
Micro-spikes
Hiking Poles
Heat Packs
Large Plastic Bag
Dry-sack
Clothing
Layer up your clothes
Baselayer
Merino wool or synthetic equivalent to keep you warm
Mid-Layer
Jacket: synthetic down equivalent that stays warm when wet.
Pants: Water-resistant material that you can move in
Hard-Shell
Weatherproof (wind and waterproof)
Think Gortex or something similar
This goes over your mid-layer
Super warm outer shell to put on when you stop for a while
Big puffy down coats work great for their warmth-to-weight ratio
Extra Note:
Think of where you pack your electronics, as batteries die far faster in the cold