Filters work best with snow

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PhotosbyAlexis
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p.1 #1 · Filters work best with snow

Last week after we got hit with a major snowstorm and 15" of snow, I found many of my shots just had trouble with glare of snow despite filter usage. What filters have you had luck with, brand, style color?

Feb 15, 2013 at 09:34 PM

jcolwell
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p.1 #2 · Filters work best with snow

You would use a Circular Polarizer filter to control reflected light. I use B+W MRC KSM filters for this. Other types of filters (except for a Linear Polarizer) would have no positive effect, and could make it worse.

Feb 15, 2013 at 10:11 PM

runamuck
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p.1 #3 · Filters work best with snow

Also, shoot with the sun low in the sky. Think golden hour, here, or close to it.

Feb 15, 2013 at 10:35 PM

PhotosbyAlexis
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p.1 #4 · Filters work best with snow

Thanks Jcolwell, I just need to work on adding filters and I agree about the low sun. I have to say, nothing better than a fresh snow fall from a storm. Will post some pics eventually of it to get more input.

Feb 19, 2013 at 12:59 AM

mMontag
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p.1 #5 · Filters work best with snow

Posting a pic with exif info will help with a more definitive answer....

Is the "glare" reflective or from overexposure?

A polarizer is most efficient when the light source (sun) is 90* to the subject, from where you're shooting - and some variation of efficiency as to how far off that 90* you may be - i.e. - if the sun is in front or behind the camera shooting the scene, the polarizer has zero effect, except from slowing the shutter speed 1.5 to 2 stops.

Are you exposing properly for "snow" (overly white) scene conditions? Many times a snow type scene will require using a higher (longer) exposure compensation - i.e. - if you're getting a really dark blue sky, you may need a longer exposure. Of course, exposure bracketing is always a good technique for finding that correct exposure.

Feb 19, 2013 at 03:14 AM

RustyBug
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p.1 #6 · Filters work best with snow

Specular reflection off snow isn't a whole lot different from specular reflection of a mirror, except that you've got a zillion little mirrors in a zillion directions, associated with AI=AR.

What direction/orientation/type of lighting conditions are you shooting in ... any pics you can post?

Feb 19, 2013 at 03:28 AM

DoubleNegative
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p.1 #7 · Filters work best with snow

Polarizing fiter, absolutely will provide the most benefit by removing glare, reflections (from non-metallic objects) and deepen colors. Avoid using on ultra- and even some wider-wides.

Even a neutral density filter (or ND) will help in some cases; as it will allow you to use a wider-open aperture for subject separation/isolation with all that light.

Feb 19, 2013 at 03:55 AM

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