The Black Dog’s PhotoBlog

Damn it’s cold out there today with a -26° air temperature and -35° for the wind chill as I type. Our high temperature is predicted at a -5° for today. I guess for Minnesota it’s normal this time of year. To me, it’s still damn cold.

From a photographer’s stand it can help produce some outstanding nature photographs. Like those of Icebergs. Something about that crystal clear air.

A few of my tips for shooting in these types of temps.
1. Make sure you’re dressed appropriately. Cover any and all skin that you can. I always keep a scarf over my mouth and nose or ware a ski mask. I’ve found that breathing on my camera produces condensation on the viewfinder. Then I can’t see what I’m trying to make a photograph of – that’s no good.
2. Warm your camera slowly after shooting in the cold so as not to get condensation on the lens and interior parts. What I do is put my camera in my camera bag while I’m still outside. I will then set my camera bag in our unheated garage for about an hour before bringing it inside. Once inside, I let it sit for a few hours (1-3) in the bag before taking it out. Once out of the bag I will let my camera sit for another ½ hour or so before turning it on and uploading any shots to my computer. I’ve also heard but haven’t tried that wrapping your digital camera in a plastic bag while outside and then bringing inside works the same way.
3. Bring extra batteries and keep spare batteries warm in an inside pocket. The batteries don’t last as long in this kind of cold. So I usually bring a few extras.

Feel free to add your helpful tips & tricks for photographing in cold weather.

Yes, this is from one of those famous “drive by shootings”. On Sunday, hubby and I were driving around when I spied this remains of a tree. I had my camera with and asked my husband to go back so I could make a photo. It’s funny and yet ironic how the holes drilled into it by a woodpecker form the face of a ghost. I had to shoot it, I couldn’t resist.

Edge of the Earth, Corner of the Sky by Art Wolfe and Art Davidson
I love this guy’s work. I’ve been watching his ‘Travels to the Edge’ series for some time and have wanted one of his books. I couldn’t be more pleased with this book. I love to sit and study his work. This book is just filled with amazing landscapes. Art Wolfe has captured some sites that I think the normal person would have overlooked and turned them into beautiful works of art.

Now I’m really looking forward to more of his books and especially his new book coming in May 2009.

Available for pre-order through Amazon:

Honestly, as a photographer, you get many people who tell you that in order to be successful in this business you must focus your talents or specialize in just one genre of photography. Art Wolfe must have ignored those people and I’m glad. Many of his photographs are spectacular from his landscapes to wildlife to people, its all great viewing. It’s incredible

If you’re interested in learning more about Art Wolfe check out his website at:
www.artwolfe.com
If you’re interested in viewing his series check out the schedule of ‘Travels to the Edge with Art Wolfe’ on public television:
http://www.travelstotheedge.com/series/airing_schedule.shtml
Or you can purchase the series from his website (listed above).

‘Old Friends: Great Dogs on the Good Life’ by Mark J. Asher
I also have to add one to the dog books. Actually this is both a photography book and a dog book that I’ve owned for a number of years but still enjoy viewing it.
In this book Mr. Asher has put together some great photography work of senior dogs with some wonderful comments on living life from a dog’s prospective. This is a book that will make you smile and possibly even chuckle a time or two.