The winter season in Yellowstone National Park and Seal River and the Hudson Bay in Manitoba are two of my favorite places to photograph. I love photographing in snow and harsh winter conditions, especially capturing wildlife in the struggle for survival in harsh conditions, with severe winds and temperatures well below freezing.
Snowy environments are certainly challenging for both man and equipment, but the stark—often surreal—graphic quality of images produced in these conditions continues to lure me back year after year. I feel privileged to photograph and share these wildlife stories from an environment most will never get to, nor want to, experience.
If winter wildlife photography appeals to you, here is a collection of tips and insights that will help you have a more enjoyable and successful adventure.
EQUIPMENT CONSIDERATIONS
Always allow your gear to become fully acclimated to the outside ambient temperature before taking images. Lenses are made of different metals and contain various types of glass that expand and contract at different rates. I have found that leaving my camera and lens outdoors prior to shooting increases image sharpness, particularly my initial images. If it’s safe to do so, I place my gear in a stuff sack and leave it outside when not in use, even overnight. Just remember to remove the camera
