Photos in the Snow

[tengel]

Does anyone have any tips on photographing outdoors in the snow. I'm taking some pictures of someone on their horse in the snow. How do I make sure the subject is properly exposed? Should I be using my lens hood? Any suggestions are welcome.

[OsmosisStudios]

Always use a lens hood, regardless of subject matter.

As for shooting in the snow: use a spot or center weighted metering, reading from the subject's face.

[tengel]

Do you always use a lens hood and why?

[OsmosisStudios]

Originally Posted by tengel

Do you always use a lens hood and why?

All but one of my lenses has a hood (my 50mm doesnt), and I always use one. Helps block stray light from entering the lens at odd angles and can help protect the front of the lens from impacts from objects I may not be able to see with my eye to the viewfinder.

[zona5101]

you can use the search function and find many similar questions...here's one from earlier today...
http://digital-photography-school.co...ml#post1141088

[gs.davies]

I'd aim for +1 stop overexposure if using in camera metering. This will avoid the camera underexposing the snow in an attempt to render the snow as 18% grey.

The 'understanding exposure' book has a great section on this.

[autofocus]

I think you'll have to make a determination as to what's more important..the snow (nah), the horse (maybe, especially if it's dark and if the subject is the horse) or the subject which is always the most important. Because you have a very tricky and contrasty situation here, and as noted above, best to meter off the subject's face and settle for the snow being off (which can always be fixed in post) Meter off the dark horse, and you'll probably be dealing with a blown out overexposed subject. The dynamic range is great in this type of shot, and you'll have to make some concession because of the limited dynamic range of the camera.