man & nature # 92 ~ the sub-zero beat goes on
Wednesday, January 21, 2009 at 11:39AM 
-6˚F ~ Ice on trees • click to embiggenMuch to my surprise it was -8˚F this AM. So I couldn't resist getting out there and making some more really cold pictures.
After last week's sub-zero spell and picturing, it occurred to me that by adding a few more really cold pictures to the batch already on hand, there would be more than enough good pictures for a POD photo book. Today's batch brings the total of good pictures to the 12-14 number range which is more than enough to make a basic 20 page book. Although ... the forecast for the weekend is for more sub-zero temperatures ...
FYI, Mike Odonoghue asked for info regarding my cold weather kit: my kit is the same as it always is - 2 dslrs with camera straps, 3 lenses in a camera bag, and a tripod in tow.
For hand warmth, I use a 2 glove system - 1 light liner glove inside a heavier outer glove on my left hand (the hand that I hold the camera with) and just the liner glove on my right hand. When I'm not picturing, I keep my right hand tucked in my jacket pocket. On my recent picture making excursion, I was wearing just sweat pants and a turtle neck under a sweatshirt, so I tucked my hand into the pocket of the sweat pants.
That said, it should be understood that that clothing set up is for picturing in and around my village, not for trekking around in the mountains. Although, that said, it's worth noting that when I am trekking around in the mountains, even at -20˚F, after just a short time of walking through the snow with snowshoes and a pack, my body heats up like a furnace. At that point I start shedding my gloves, unzipping all of the vents on my lightweight one-piece winter suit, and even rolling up my sleeves.
As for my camera gear in such extended mountain conditions, one of the reasons that I went for the "pro" Olympus E-3 and "pro" lenses was the weather-sealed construction. However, extra batteries are a must and you absolutely must carry them on your person, preferably tucked inside a pocket close to your body for maximum warmth. I even sleep with them inside my sleeping bag.
In any event, as long as you are prepared to winter conditions, even extreme conditions, winter picturing can be fun and rewarding. And, in part, because all the fair-weather wimps are inside huddled near the fire, you can avail yourself of the opportunity to picture stuff that only a handful of others are attempting. Think of it this way:
The fewer imaginative people there are the better I say because it leaves more room for me to run around in. ~ Domonic Russo
Reader Comments (2)
The monochromatic color; the sagging power/phone lines; the back lit ice: a wonderful, precarious combination. Thanks for braving the cold for this one Mark.
I love your keen compositions in general, and this one with the centered pole is another fine example. Unorthodox but extremely effective :)