Clothing & Protection For Winter Photography

When it comes to shooting in the winter, the weather can be very unpredictable. The best way to prepare is to expect anything—dressing appropriately for the situation is fundamental. When it comes to apparel, it is necessary to plan for weather that may change suddenly and significantly.

Photography in colder temperatures causes your body temperature to shift dramatically between hot and cold, as it often means varying activity levels. Anticipating this, wear clothing that can be easily opened with zippers in specific areas of the body for fresh ventilation, and be careful not to wear too many layers that cause you to overheat. For a photographer who already carries heavy camera equipment, dressing in layers adds extra weight and is not ideal. The kind of clothing recommended is some form of loose-fitting, breathable jacket that’s suitably insulated for the expected conditions and that has zippers, allowing you to open and close it quickly, depending on your level of activity. It is also important to leave no area of the body exposed to the colder temperatures. Always wear a warm hat to avoid excessive heat loss through your head. Research shows that 70 percent of one’s body heat can be lost by not wearing a winter hat in colder climates.

In addition to a warm hat, wear pants that are fully waterproof yet comfortable and flexible so as not to inhibit your movement if, for example, you want to kneel for a lower perspective on your subject. The ability to move around comfortably and stay dry is critical.

Regarding footwear, boots need to be waterproof, insulated and tall enough around the ankles to prevent snow from creeping in. A pair of gaiters—water-resistant covers that go around your footgear from the ankle to below the knee—keep snow from getting inside your boots.

The one piece of equipment that photographers often wear incorrectly is gloves. You may be tempted to choose gloves that do not have fingertips, thinking that fingerless gloves will allow you to manipulate the camera controls more easily. The truth is that most winter conditions are cold enough that exposed fingers will hinder any refined control of the camera, thus making it more difficult to operate the camera properly. The better option is to wear gloves that have five-finger touchscreen capability. Make sure the gloves are both waterproof and windproof. When it comes to enjoying your time in winter, the right type of clothing can make all the difference between a good and bad day.

Protection For Your Gear

The most frequently neglected consideration of winter shooting is winterizing your camera equipment. What do I mean by “winterizing?”

Today’s cameras that are weather-sealed typically perform very well in cold temperatures, but there are a few important considerations to be aware of when preparing camera equipment for winter. Keeping your batteries warm is one. Depending on how cold the temperature is, battery life can be greatly reduced. Results vary depending on the temperature and camera model, but it is safe to assume that batteries might only last a few minutes in cold weather. I hold one of my hand warmers on the camera to keep the battery area warm. This action helps extend the life of the battery. I also carry backup batteries and keep them close to my body for extra heat—the batteries should be in a location as close to the body as possible. Throughout the day, switch out the cold batteries with the warm ones for longer shooting.

Another common problem with camera equipment in winter is the condensation that occurs from changes in the environment. Frigid air has very little water vapor and is dry. When a camera comes from a cold outside environment to a warmer and more humid environment like a heated vehicle, water vapor can condense on the outside and inside of the camera. Water inside the camera can cause the electrical components to malfunction or even be permanently damaged. To avoid this, bring a large Ziploc bag and seal the camera inside it before moving from a colder to a warmer environment, and leave it there until the temperature inside the bag is roughly the same as room temperature.