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HOW TO GET SNOW WHITE

Depending on where you live, winter means snow! You’ll be wanting to head outdoors to take photos of family and friends in a winter wonderland.

But, before you head out the door, here’s a tip to help you come back with photos that capture the white of winter.

One thing to keep in mind is how your camera “sees” subjects. When set on “auto”, your camera is programmed to set exposure for typical subjects that reflect as much light as a middle gray color. For most subjects, the exposure set by the camera is generally ideal. However, with the bright white of snow added to the scene, your camera tries to compensate by darkening the overall scene. And, what you get is… gray snow.

Here’s how to get snow white.

• Use your camera’s automatic functions. Many cameras have a function meant for snow scenes. If there isn’t one specifically for snow, the function may be built into a combined beach/snow scene function. This is the easiest way to capture the white of winter without a lot of guesswork on your part.
• Manually control exposure. If your camera doesn’t have a setting for bright scenes or you just want more control of exposure, you can use your camera’s exposure compensation. It may be directly available by a dial or button or you may have to go through menus but it’s often marked as “+/-” in many cameras. Your camera manual should give more details.

First, set your camera on program mode, usually marked with a “P”. Then, while pointing your camera at the scene you want to photograph, adjust exposure compensation anywhere from one to two steps in the positive direction. The idea is to capture the scene so the snow is white but not so white that you lose all detail in the snow. If your camera shows a preview on its LCD display of what the scene will look like, adjusting exposure compensation is made much easier. Otherwise make the photo then view it on the camera LCD to see if you have white snow instead of gray. Make adjustments if needed.

Your camera may also be able to display “histograms” of the photos you make. A histogram is basically a graph that shows if a photo’s overall exposure is ideal or over/underexposed. Your camera manual should give you more information about how to use and interpret image histograms.

One more thing that’s less on the photographic side… Cameras are dependent on batteries. And cold is one of a battery’s greatest enemies. Keep your camera battery from prematurely running out of gas by keeping it warm. When not using your point-and-shoot camera, tuck it away in an inside pocket as close to your body as possible. If you’re using a larger camera, like a DSLR, simply put the camera strap around your neck and hang the camera under your zipped-up jacket.

Take these tips with you when you head out into winter’s wonderland and you’ll get snow white in your winter photos.

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