In winter sports? This is how you take the most beautiful (action) photos in the snow

Read also: 5 tips for photographing in the cold

When you say winter sports vacation, you say snow. But did you know that it is very difficult to photograph snow beautifully? It's all about right Exposure. If you expose too little, the snow will turn gray and dirty. Overexposure creates an overexposed block from which all texture and detail have disappeared.

Time of day also plays a role. During sunrise or sunset, snow looks different than it does at midday, under a (hopefully) clear blue sky. It's a good idea to take a photo of a certain place at different times of the day: you will clearly see the difference!

In addition to lighting, Color rendering Crucial when photographing snow. hiring White balance From the camera to the “shadow” to get a beautiful snow-white color, not too cool. When set to “Sun”, the snow becomes very blue. If necessary, take a photo in RAW format, so that the white balance can be adjusted later.

Shutter speed for action photos

Taking a winter sports photo is not as easy as it seems. For example, you have a very short time to take a photo of a skier or snowboarder: before you know it, he or she has disappeared from sight. So make sure you are well prepared and your settings are correct. Make sure your camera is ready in the right position with continuous recording mode, so you can capture several shots in a row when a winter sports enthusiast passes by. This increases your chance of getting a sharp motion picture.

If you want to record a skier or snowboarder's speed correctly, it is important to have High shutter speed He chooses. This way you can freeze the fast action of winter sports enthusiasts rushing down the slopes. It is recommended to use a shutter speed of at least 1/500 second. Make sure you get enough light Use a higher ISO number if necessary And set one The opening is as large as possible At (low F value).

Right time and right place

There are many ski areas for skiing and photography. Not everywhere you can take equally successful photos. A lot depends on the choice of a particular path. Stunning landings can be less practical when photographing winter sports enthusiasts, especially if you want to photograph a specific person. It is best to look for a short slope with a lift nearby. This way your models can easily do the track several times, while you photograph them over and over again. For experienced winter sports enthusiasts, the mini jumping park or fun park is fun for jumps and tricks.

Choose a place with nice, interesting light. Consider backlighting to get a silhouette effect or side lighting to capture texture and depth. Also pay attention to the background: the snow and trees give you a typical winter sports atmosphere.

Read also: Are you going on a winter sports vacation with an electric car? You should pay attention to this!

Protect your camera

Skiing carries risks for you and your camera. To get to a good photo spot, you also have to ski. Therefore, pack your camera well, for example somewhere Durable camera bag Or using shock-absorbing material in the backpack. Even though you skate carefully with your camera, you can always fall. Therefore, it is important to protect the camera from bumps and shocks. Also use a lens hood to provide extra protection for your lens. Only remove the cover when you are ready to take photos.

Also protect your camera from the cold. Carry your batteries and memory cards close to your body so they stay warm. If it snows, place a rain cover over the camera. Most importantly: be careful with condensation. Do you go inside after taking photos, to go from cold to warm? Do not take the camera out of your bag right away. Leave your bag closed and let the camera acclimate for a few hours. Do it in a cooler place: not next to the cozy heater, but for example in the bathroom. Store the camera and accessories at room temperature overnight. Also charge batteries at room temperature for optimal performance.