Recently, I went out to take pictures in the coldest conditions so far this season. I was bundled up from head to toe in layers of clothes and still froze! It made me think about my camera gear and what should be done to take care of one’s camera gear in cold weather. Going from extreme weather changes can be hard on your camera and lenses. It’s important to acclimate your gear to the temperature shifts. One thing you can do is spend some time, if possible at least 30 minutes, outside with your gear enclosed in your camera bag (so it can slowly cool down to the temperature outdoors) perhaps hiking to your photoshoot location. This will prevent moisture from getting into your camera from abrupt environmental changes. While out in the cold, your battery will drain quickly. It’s important to bring spare batteries if you plan on being outside for any length of time. To keep them from draining, keep your batteries close to your body for the warmth. When it’s time to leave the shoot location, remove your memory card from your camera, then seal your gear in a freezer bag and zip it into your camera bag. Leave it in there to acclimate back to the warmth of your house. Again, you’ll be avoiding moisture from penetrating the bag. By taking the memory card out before packing away your camera, you’ll have access to your images to work on them in your post-processing software, without disturbing your camera. Keep yourself and your gear safe this winter but have a wonderful time!
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Have you ever gone out to a photoshoot with a preconceived notion of what you wanted to get for your shots? I have. On the day that I took this particular shot, I had planned on a sunset shot. I had the image pictured in my head. I knew exactly what I wanted. BUT circumstances did not cooperate (as often is the case)! I got there hours and hours before sunset. Sure, I waited. And the beach was crowded with people waiting for the sunset—messing up my planned photograph. There was NO way that my planned landscape picture was going to happen with all the people buzzing around!! I could’ve given up. Thrown in the towel. But no. Given that I was at my location early, I decided to play! I got out my lensball and played until sunset. I don’t usually take images in the middle of the day, but I used the conditions that I was given. My advice… You have to be flexible and open about what you’re going to shoot when you go out—otherwise, you may never get any images. Rarely do all the circumstances align so that you get the perfect conditions for a photograph. Relax and have fun. Be prepared to try things that you may not have expected to try. Who knows you may find something you love! 2020 has been rough for most of us. I personally have had surgery and several deaths of close family members. Not to mention the current pandemic that keeps all of us stressed out. Most of us don’t take time to relax. We’re so used to going quickly through life that we can pass something beautiful and not even notice it. I find myself saying, “I need to go out with my camera.” Saying I “NEED TO” may sound strange, but I find my photography to be relaxing. I get lost in the process of taking an image. I take a mindful approach to my photography. What does that mean? It means I go into a place I want to photograph and get lost in the environment. I notice my surrounding—every detail, from the sights to the sounds and smells AND I enjoy it. I appreciate the way the light dances around my scenery or how vibrant the colors are. I enjoy the sounds my feet make as I walk or the waves crashing along the shore, the sounds of the wind and wildlife. I love the smell of the salt in the air or a burning campfire. I notice the beauty. Then as I take time to set up my tripod, choose my composition and settings, I slow down. It all becomes meditative to me—going through the steps. I connect to my images. I’ve immersed myself in the environment and the photograph that I’m taking. Usually when I go out, I go with no plans or expectation from my time. I don’t have an agenda of certain images I want to make that stresses me out. I don’t worry so much about getting the perfect shot. I go out for the experience, enjoying the process. By going into a place I want to photograph & getting lost in the environment, I don’t think about my troubles or worries. I stay focused on what’s around me and where I am. It benefits me tremendously, in dealing with stress, anxiety and depression. If you’ve never slowed down and submerged yourself this way, I encourage you to try doing so. Whether you like photography or have a different hobby, try noticing your surroundings—truly living in the moment, and then fully engage yourself in your activity. See if it melts your troubles away (even if only temporarily). This approach to your hobby can become an escape from the problems you face and allow you to relax for a while. |
What Is This Page?Since I love photography and teaching, I thought I would start a Blog page and share how I take my images, what I was thinking and about me. Categories
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