The Well-Dressed Photographer - Winter

Some of the best images can be captured during the winter months, so don't let the cold stop you. For the best photography experience, wear clothing that will keep you comfortable and safe.

Dressing in layers and choosing clothes made of suitable materials are the best ways to fight cold weather. Layers allow you to quickly add or subtract clothing to adapt to the varying climate, your activity level and tolerance to the environment. Selecting clothes made of certain materials will maximize the layers' effectiveness.

Layering fundamentals

It starts with a good "first layer"? the clothing next to your skin. Moisture from perspiration or precipitation will lower your body temperature, making you feel cold, if left next to your skin. Appropriate first layers wick away that moisture, leaving your skin dry and warm. They are made of natural materials such as silk or wool, or synthetic materials, such as polypropylene. These materials are traded under a variety of brand names. Cabela's has a good selection right here.

Thermal underwear designed specifically for the cold weather comes in three weights: light, mid and expedition weight. Choose the one that best fits your activity and tolerance. Don't use first layers made of cotton or cotton-blend. While comfortable, they are risky to use since they don't dry quickly, and you will get cold.

The second layer serves as the insulating layer, and holds the heat your body produces to keep you warm. It also should be made of a material that wicks and dries quickly, because the first layer will wick wetness to the second layer. The second layer is often a sweater or light jacket made of wool or synthetic materials such as fleece. REI Outlet carries many products that will fit the bill. Visit REI here. Goose down is an effective, lightweight insulator, but it won't keep you warm if it gets wet.

Since the second layer uses an open weave to allow moisture to evaporate and to trap the warm air, you also must use an outer layer for it to be effective. This layer ? usually a jacket or parka ? prevents the warmth from escaping and keeps the wind, rain or snow out. Some outer layers have insulating properties added for the coldest weather, but they are more versatile if they don't. The best outer layers are made with a waterproof and breathable material, such as "Gore Tex" or similar fabric. Check the assortment at Sierra Trading Post here.

While rubber and plastic also are waterproof, you want a breathable fabric so that the moisture wicked from the first layer through the second layer can evaporate and you don't feel clammy. You can save a bit of money on this layer by choosing a "water resistant" instead of a waterproof jacket. Water resistant material will ward off a light rain, and since you rarely will shoot in a downpour, it should be sufficient.

New technical materials, often used in "soft shell" jackets or pants, combine the insulating and wind/water resistance layers into one. Some fleece has wind resistant properties. They add convenience and eliminate bulk, but generally perform at a lower level than the prime items. Campmor carries these items: here

Protect your head, hands and feet

Cold hands can be a big impediment to your photography. Glove liners are thin gloves that work like other first layers. They also protect your fingers from direct contact with the cold when you remove your bulky gloves to handle your gear. Add a second layer of gloves made of wool or synthetic materials to retain heat and resist cold and wind. If these gloves are fingerless, you will have better access to camera controls. Look for fingerless gloves with a flap that can be pulled over your fingers to keep them as warm as mittens would, which gives you the best of both worlds. You can find a pair at Sierra Trading Post here.

Another important piece of gear is head protection. Although it's no longer thought that you lose most of your heat through your head, you should still protect it. Choose something made of the materials recommended above. Like your other clothes, if you add a wind resistant layer, such as the hood from your jacket, you'll be even warmer.

Wet, cold feet can ruin an outing. Avoid this by using socks made of wicking material that dries quickly and retains heat when wet, similar to the materials described above. Thick socks generally will be warmer, unless they make your shoes so tight that the blood flow to your feet is constricted. Eastern Mountain Sports offers a good selection here.

Many shoes/boots have a Gore Tex liner to keep water out and to let your perspiration escape. Less expensive and somewhat less effective shoes/boots have a waterproof treatment that must be reapplied after some use. This treatment, however, inhibits the breath ability of the leather. Snow boots add an insulating layer and use rubber materials to keep snow and water out. Fit your shoes/boots so that your toes have some wiggle room to keep your blood circulating.

In the most severe conditions, add face protection with a face mask, a baklava, or a neck gaiter. And never forget the sunscreen. Snow reflecting the sun's rays will intensify your UV exposure, even on cloudy days.

All of these clothes retain the heat you make. Some nifty gear can add to your warmth. Place chemical packs in your gloves, a pocket, or your boots that get warm when exposed to oxygen. REI has these items here. Also look for boots, socks and gloves that are battery heated. Check the products at Cozy Winters here.

Dress well to enjoy winter shooting

Your body's first mission is to protect its vital organs, such as your heart and lungs. If cold, your blood vessels will constrict in your arms and legs, reducing flow to them and leaving fingers and toes susceptible to frostbite. Keep all of your body parts covered with clothing designed to battle the cold. Being the well-dressed photographer will keep you shooting safely and comfortably throughout the winter season.

Copyright 2005 Carolyn E. Wright All Rights Reserved

--- ABOUT THE AUTHOR ---

Carolyn Wright is a professional photographer with an active wildlife photography business. Shooting for 25 years, her award-winning images have been used in books and corporate marketing materials. Her photos will be included in the upcoming book, "Captivating Wildlife - Images from the Top Ten Emerging Wildlife Photographers" by Scott Bourne and David Middleton. She also is working with Scott Bourne on "Wolfscapes," a photo book documenting the beauty and strength of wolves. Her wildlife images can be viewed at http://www.vividwildlife.com

On the faculty of Olympic Mountain School of Photography, Carolyn's passion is enhanced when teaching photography. She enjoys writing and speaking on the subject, as well, and is a regular columnist for PhotoFocus, an online magazine for serious photographers.

---

What Should You Look for in a New Camera?

These parameters are discussed at 2 levels: -Based on degree of functional use of available features -Based on the type of photography you want to attempt -->Based on degree of... Read More

Kodak CX7300 Digital Camera

Quality digital cameras are becoming affordable for just about everyone these days. Kodak's entry into the low cost end of the market is their CX7300 3.2 mega pixel model. You just may be... Read More

How to Buy Wholesale Disposable Cameras

Wholesale disposable cameras are disposable cameras bought in quantity. Bulk disposable cameras are the best single-use camera deal online. If you really want to save money, disposable digital and disposable film cameras can... Read More

Removing Spot Scratches in Your Treasured Photos ? 5 Minute Digital Fix

Probably one of the most common problems you will be faced with in doing any type of digital photo restoration work will be to do with spot scratches on your old photos.When we... Read More

Canadas Digital Cameras, Digital Camcorders and Cheap Memory Cards Canada

Digital SLR Camera or Digital single-lens reflex (SLR) camera is an ideal camera for professionals and amateur photographers. They usually having interchangeable lenses and are known for capturing superior quality images. They come... Read More

Weddings, From a Photographers Point of View

Your wedding day is without a doubt one of the happiest and stressful days of you life. The happy part comes naturally but how can you cut down on the stress? Well from... Read More

The Best Wildlife Camera To Take On Safari

Good wildlife camera equipment on safari can make the difference between pictures you will be proud to show your friends and family when you get back and ones where it's difficult to figure... Read More

Canon-Powershot-A80 Review

Last month we bought the Canon Powershot A80 online for about $325 including shipping after looking at digital cameras for about a month. It had all the features we were looking for in... Read More

The Well-Dressed Photographer - Summer

Outdoor photographers shoot year round. That includes the hot summer. You may be surprised to learn that the best way to tolerate the heat is not to strip down to your skivvies. Instead,... Read More

Wedding Photography: How to Become a Successful Wedding Photographer

Once in while I receive e-mails or phone calls from aspiring or beginner wedding photographers asking me for advise on how to become successful in the wedding field. My first question is always... Read More

How to Create a Great Video - a Simple Guide on How to Shoot Home Movies with a Camcorder

So you have bought a camcorder and have shot some footage, but truthfully you don't much like the results. Maybe I can help. My advice is based on ten years of looking over... Read More

Easy Tips for Digital Photo Touchups

Using a digital camera to take pictures is great. It's easy and quick. Just as easy and quick is touching up those digital photos. Is your image too dark? Is there a glare... Read More

The Venice Rookery

Love is in the air at the Venice Rookery. The birds (and the bees) are there doing the thing they are so famous for, and you can take pictures of it! Seriously, though,... Read More

A Guide to Disposable Digital Cameras

Disposable Cameras (also called single-use cameras) first came on the market as film cameras. You would take the entire camera back where you bought it and they would crack it open, take out... Read More

Digital Camera Basics

Digital Camera Basics? The VocabularyShopping for a digital camera can be a difficult task considering the sheer number of choices out there. The number of manufacturers, models, and price ranges that need to... Read More

Start Your Own Photography Business from Home

Anyone with the right camera equipment, and the necessary skills can set up a home business, marketing photography. You need only to convert a room of your house into an office, and then... Read More

Selecting Your First Digital Camera

Purchasing a digital camera is a wise decision, particularly if you take a lot of pictures and you want to control how they are developed. Camera prices continue to plummet and Americans are... Read More

Pinhole Photography: Right Back to Basics

Why Pinhole Photography?It's fun. It's creative. It's educative about the basics that photographers deal with whenever they do their thing.What is Pinhole Photography?At its simplest, a pinhole camera is just a light tight... Read More

Market Your Photography Business

Setting up your own photography business it easy, you don't need office space in can be done from your own home. However this is not the easiest type of business to market, especially... Read More

Using Film Speed Effectively (Black & White Film Thoughts)

It's hard to find sometimes but it's making a resurgence, black and white film. If you've never used this film now is the time to try it out. Here are some tips to... Read More

Landscape Photography - Capture the Beauty That is All Around

There are many different types of photography. You can take pictures of anything and there is someone out there somewhere who would like to see the pictures that you take. So, photography is... Read More

Photography Business: Taking Baby Photos - for Professionals & Families

Babies make the best and the worst subjects to photograph. They are the best for two reasons, people are more tolerant at looking at baby photos, as well as the fact that babies... Read More

Studio Photography and Digital Backgrounds

The article given here was written for Adobe Photoshop 5,6,7,CS, and Adobe Photoshop Elements 2 and 3.Most photographers who are serious about improving their portrait taking skills have realized that a beautiful background... Read More

How to Shoot Video of Your Kids Sports Team So That Anyone Else Will Watch It!

Break out that video camera, there is a game this weekend! 1. You bought a video camera 2. You want to shoot sports of your kid 3. Here is how to do it... Read More

Photo Equipment Lists

You arrive at your photo shoot excited about the images you are about to take ? that is, until you realize that you have left an important piece of equipment at home. You... Read More

Getting Rid of Red Eye

The photos you took of the party are really great - except for one thing: "red eye" makes everyone look like extras from a low budget horror movie! Red eye can be a... Read More

How Can I Preserve My Lifetime of Memories in Photographs?

Like most folks you have probably have organized and sorted your photos atleast once. The problem is they never seem to stay organized no matter how hard you try, and even if they... Read More

Is Film Better than Digital for Weddings?

As a professional wedding photographer I get this question asked more than anything else. Rarely will somebody ask me about my wedding photography education, awards, or professional memberships. I believe the root to... Read More

Camcorder Techniques: How To Make Home Movies Your Family And Friends Will Be Excited To Watch

Pre-Production:It's all got to start somewhere, so before you even charge your batteries, rewind those tapes or pack the car, take a seat and have a good think about what you are planning... Read More