Winter in Canoe Country is cold and wet, and neither of these is good for cameras—or would-be photographers. Batteries fail. Lenses fog. The inquiring photographer’s fingers morph into clumsy wooden pegs, while her shivering body makes framing the simplest shot a daunting chore. But winter has its charms, too. The frozen world can be a place of surpassing beauty, with every bend in the trail offering up vistas that cry out to be recorded. In this season of short days and long nights, we see the land without its summer drapery. It’s a stark country, this world of ice and snow, a place of shadow and stillness, very far removed from the lush colors and profligate activity of the warmer months. When any living thing moves in winter, it moves purposefully, intent on getting maximum return for minimum effort. That’s good advice for winter photographers, too, come to think of it.

Being prepared is the key to safe, enjoyable winter photography, and taking care of yourself tops the To Do list. Outfit yourself to keep warm—it’s more than a comfort issue, it’s a matter of life and death. Then decide how you’ll get around in the backcountry when it’s snowy and icy. Skis, snowshoes, and traction devices are the probable alternatives.

Next comes tending to your camera gear. Cold is not a friend to film or batteries so keep your camera warm, too. I tuck mine under my outer garments underway, with the zip or snaps open when I’m working up a steamy sweat. But of course there’s more to protecting your camera than keeping it warm, and winter imposes unique challenges on the photographer’s skill. Want to know more? Then read on…

 
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