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PostPosted: Sun Mar 06, 2011 5:49 pm 
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Hi everyone,

I'm extremely new to photography. I was inspired to buy my very first DSLR and learn how to use it because I am going on an Arctic Expedition and really want to capture the dramatic natural beauty out there!

I have taken a couple of classes and received some tips as far as gear I should consider using in that environment, but there's nothing like hearing it from people who have experience.

Can anyone offer some suggestions for cold weather shooting, landscapes, lots of sun, etc? So far I understand I should get a neutral density filter, and potentially a lens hood. Any other suggestions?

Much appreciated!!


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PostPosted: Sun Mar 06, 2011 6:00 pm 
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No experience shooting in the Arctic, so take what I say with some salt.

Firstly, have you bought your camera yet? Are you likely to get it in close contact with the elements? Then the first thing you have to consider is to get a weather sealed camera and lenses. I don't know what platform you're considering, but on the Canon side, the cheapest weather sealed camera is the 7D, and after that, you're looking at the substantially more expensive 1D series. Most of their premium L lenses are weather sealed, some of them need a filter to complete the sealing.

Have spare batteries, stored inside your jacket to keep warm. When transitioning from outdoors to a warm humid interior, keep your gear in a sealed plastic bag so that condensation does not gather on the equipment.

The lens hood should be considered essential, not an option, even for normal shooting in non-Arctic conditions.

Maybe others can chip in.


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PostPosted: Sun Mar 06, 2011 6:06 pm 
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when you going and roughly where in the Arctic ? It's kinda big...


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PostPosted: Sun Mar 06, 2011 6:13 pm 
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I have no ideas either about shooting in the arctic (but would love to do an arctic photo cruise in the near future).

But here are a couple of links that may give you some information you are looking for.

http://www.luminous-landscape.com/locat ... apes.shtml

http://www.luminous-landscape.com/galle ... nter.shtml

I read an article on that website about an expedition about a year or so ago (cannot find it at the moment) and it contained a lot of information about equipment and what worked and what didn't in the cold. Try doing a search for Alaska or Arctic.


Cheers,

Jordan


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PostPosted: Sun Mar 06, 2011 6:54 pm 
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just wanted to add. the Arctic is not always about dramatic scenery. It's a varied place and some areas have an extremely quiet beauty that is hard for a southerner to comprehend. My suggestion would be to bring a camera but use it as a document recording device and live in the moments on your trip. A photograph will never be able to capture the feeling one has standing in the middle of nowhere with nothing but white on all horizons. and your ears will also pick up subtle things.


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PostPosted: Sun Mar 06, 2011 7:53 pm 
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1st, we need to know what time of year you are going, as summer in the Arctic probably isn't all that bad.

I've shot a ton of Snowcross in temps as low as minus 40 and have never had a gear failure.

You going on an Alaskan cruise perhaps?


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PostPosted: Sun Mar 06, 2011 8:49 pm 
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Whatever camera and lenses you ultimately choose, the best suggestion that I have is to lay in a good supply of ziplock style bags, that you can put the camera and lens combo into before you come in out of the cold. The biggest problem that you'll have, will be dealing with condensation on your gear when you get into a warm area. For this reason you should leave the lens mounted, to help avoid moisture getting to the innards of the camera and put the whole thing into a sealed bag, with minimal air space in it, so that it can come up to temperature without a whole lot of condensation forming.

You'll also need a whole lot of batteries. Cold weather tends to sap power from batteries much faster so, if you want to have a usable camera when the time comes to shoot, you'll need spares.

Of course my personal preference would be for an Olympus pro body (E-1, E-3, E-5) and a pro or high pro lens for the superior weather sealing, but I'm pretty biased ;)


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PostPosted: Sun Mar 06, 2011 9:23 pm 
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Bosscat wrote:
1st, we need to know what time of year you are going, as summer in the Arctic probably isn't all that bad.

I've shot a ton of Snowcross in temps as low as minus 40 and have never had a gear failure.

You going on an Alaskan cruise perhaps?


Have you shot those in freezing rain/snow or blizzard? :D


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PostPosted: Sun Mar 06, 2011 9:33 pm 
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jordanfaust wrote:
I have no ideas either about shooting in the arctic (but would love to do an arctic photo cruise in the near future).

But here are a couple of links that may give you some information you are looking for.

http://www.luminous-landscape.com/locat ... apes.shtml

http://www.luminous-landscape.com/galle ... nter.shtml

I read an article on that website about an expedition about a year or so ago (cannot find it at the moment) and it contained a lot of information about equipment and what worked and what didn't in the cold. Try doing a search for Alaska or Arctic.


Cheers,

Jordan


It was Antarctica. http://www.luminous-landscape.com/essay ... rked.shtml


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PostPosted: Sun Mar 06, 2011 9:35 pm 
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Unless your living in igloos or commuting with sled dogs you should be ok with any decent weather sealed camera. Even some point and shoot cameras have outstanding resistance to the elements. As some point and shoots are water proof I woul even say they trump pro dslr's in that area.

I will assume you will be shooting with thin gloves on so you will get frost bite before your camera will. Your only concern will be condensation when you go back into the warmth. Fortunately colder cliamates tend to have lower humidity so condensation may not be as bad as here in Toronto.

One thing I would recommend is a pelican case. It will insulate your gear on long treks and even protect your gear under 3 feet of water for up to 30 minutes. So you would be a popsicle, but your photos can live on to tell the story lolol. You can even get silica packs to keep the humidity in your case to a minimum. But thats an extreme precaution.


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PostPosted: Sun Mar 06, 2011 10:15 pm 
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Hey,

I have experience shooting in the Arctic ... as I have been several times in the past number of years. The rules of cold weather phootgraphy apply. But as mentioned - it depends on time of year. August on Baffin Island ain't that bad, but April .... temperatures can flux between -10 and -30 depending the weather. And wind gusting to 90km/hr is possible on open spaces such as the sea ice of Frobisher bay.

If you want feel free to PM me.


David

Check out my flickr for some shots from my Iqaluit trips.


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PostPosted: Mon Mar 07, 2011 10:17 am 
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as mentioned before, lots of batteries as -30 tends to use them up pretty quick.
I'd also recommend a circ polarizing filter if you are doing landscapes/snowscapes. Helps cut down on glare and bring out sky details.

I'd also recommend practicing in this glorious snow that we have here as snow really messes with the auto exposure settings and you generally will want to push all shots by at least a stop in order to get correct exposures.


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PostPosted: Mon Mar 07, 2011 12:45 pm 
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Wow! Thanks very much everyone! Appreciate all of the tips!

I'm leaving at the end of May and will be there until mid-June. I'm going up through the Norwegian Fjords to the North Atlantic around Spitsbergen. I've never been on an adventure like this so very excited!

I agree that there will be many moments to enjoy, both dramatic and quiet.

Now just to practice before the trip!

Thanks everyone!


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PostPosted: Mon Mar 07, 2011 12:56 pm 
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TWH wrote:
Wow! Thanks very much everyone! Appreciate all of the tips!

I'm leaving at the end of May and will be there until mid-June. I'm going up through the Norwegian Fjords to the North Atlantic around Spitsbergen. I've never been on an adventure like this so very excited!

I agree that there will be many moments to enjoy, both dramatic and quiet.

Now just to practice before the trip!

Thanks everyone!


Your going at one of the warmer times of the year I wouldn't worry about freezing batteries. Check out the climate over the routes you are going you might want to get a good quality all weather cover (rain coat) for your camera as this will allow you to use it without worrying about salt spray damage. Also foul weather can make for some spectacular shots.


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PostPosted: Mon Mar 07, 2011 3:05 pm 
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It will be the tail end of winter. Spring doesn't really come until mid to end of June.


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PostPosted: Mon Mar 07, 2011 4:02 pm 
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lxdesign wrote:
It will be the tail end of winter. Spring doesn't really come until mid to end of June.



Actually in the in the western arctic last time I was in Norman Wells NWT in May it was hotter then Toronto. You have to check the climate for the region and not make assumptions.

http://www.visitnorway.com/uk/Articles/ ... rn-Norway/

even the coldest May day/night temps will be around 0 not enough to worry your camera.


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PostPosted: Mon Mar 07, 2011 5:22 pm 
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True ... it depends on what part of the arctic you are in .... the further north you go.... the more winter like it will be.


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PostPosted: Mon Mar 07, 2011 9:01 pm 
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PotatoEYE wrote:
Have you shot those in freezing rain/snow or blizzard? :D


Check, check and when it gets really blizzard like snow, they postpone the races due to safety for the racers.


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