Snow landscapes

AlanM · 05-10-2021, 10:59 AM

When taking photos of a snow landscape, is a filter required? Will there be unwanted reflections without?

**othar** · 05-10-2021, 11:27 AM

If and what kind of reflections might occur depends on the lens and the position of the sun (or whatever your light source is).
Filters can make things even worse because you add another glas element to the equation, that said a circular polarizing filter could be used to influence the saturation of the sky (or some surfaces, this usually doesn't look good with very wide lenses though, because it does influence the look of the sky differently for different cardinal directions - CPL filters also allow you to photograph through a reflective water surface or a reflective pane)

pschlute · 05-10-2021, 11:44 AM

Originally posted by AlanM

When taking photos of a snow landscape, is a filter required? Will there be unwanted reflections without?

Depending where the sun is positioned there may be unwanted reflections. But a filter is unlikely to deal with that.

Just make sure you overexpose the image at least two stops

**MossyRocks** · 05-10-2021, 01:14 PM

Originally posted by pschlute

Just make sure you overexpose the image at least two stops

This is probably the most important thing to keep in mind when shooting in the snow.

**EssJayEff** · 05-10-2021, 02:45 PM

"Expose To The Right" (ETTR) of your histogram helps here. Also, a single polarizer won't help much with specular highlights. You might want to experiment with cross polarization.

Bertrand3000 · 05-10-2021, 02:50 PM

I can confirm no filter can help here. It will probably make things worse.

I didn't know about the +2 stops. Snow is very rare for me, not enough experience. Thanks!

**EssJayEff** · 05-10-2021, 02:52 PM

Originally posted by Bertrand3000

I didn't know about the +2 stops. Snow is very rare for me, not enough experience.

Same applies to bright sandy beaches . . . though more so for white sand than black sand!

**DWS1** · 05-10-2021, 05:33 PM

If you don't overexpose the snow will look gray.

bertwert · 05-10-2021, 06:50 PM

I don't think I've ever used a filter with snow - and I get a lot of snow here. As above, just shoot overexposed - the camera will try to average the scene to a grey, but with snow it's tricked as snow is so light.

05-10-2021, 10:59 AM	#1
AlanM Forum Member Join Date: Mar 2020 Location: Søborg Posts: 61	Snow landscapes When taking photos of a snow landscape, is a filter required? Will there be unwanted reflections without?

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05-10-2021, 11:27 AM	#2
othar Site Supporter Join Date: May 2014 Location: Linz Photos: Albums Posts: 3,098	If and what kind of reflections might occur depends on the lens and the position of the sun (or whatever your light source is). Filters can make things even worse because you add another glas element to the equation, that said a circular polarizing filter could be used to influence the saturation of the sky (or some surfaces, this usually doesn't look good with very wide lenses though, because it does influence the look of the sky differently for different cardinal directions - CPL filters also allow you to photograph through a reflective water surface or a reflective pane)

05-10-2021, 11:44 AM	#3
pschlute Moderator Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Surrey, UK Photos: Gallery Posts: 8,212	Originally posted by AlanM When taking photos of a snow landscape, is a filter required? Will there be unwanted reflections without? Depending where the sun is positioned there may be unwanted reflections. But a filter is unlikely to deal with that. Just make sure you overexpose the image at least two stops

05-10-2021, 01:14 PM	#4
MossyRocks Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Nov 2017 Location: Minnesota Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,982	Originally posted by pschlute Just make sure you overexpose the image at least two stops This is probably the most important thing to keep in mind when shooting in the snow.

05-10-2021, 02:45 PM	#5
EssJayEff Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: near Saxapahaw, NC Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 971	"Expose To The Right" (ETTR) of your histogram helps here. Also, a single polarizer won't help much with specular highlights. You might want to experiment with cross polarization.

05-10-2021, 02:50 PM	#6
Bertrand3000 Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2019 Posts: 2,009	I can confirm no filter can help here. It will probably make things worse. I didn't know about the +2 stops. Snow is very rare for me, not enough experience. Thanks!

05-10-2021, 02:52 PM	#7
EssJayEff Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: near Saxapahaw, NC Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 971	Originally posted by Bertrand3000 I didn't know about the +2 stops. Snow is very rare for me, not enough experience. Same applies to bright sandy beaches . . . though more so for white sand than black sand!

05-10-2021, 05:33 PM	#8
DWS1 Site Supporter Join Date: Aug 2018 Location: Arkansas, USA Posts: 1,169	If you don't overexpose the snow will look gray.

05-10-2021, 06:50 PM	#9
bertwert Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2015 Location: Golden, BC Posts: 15,172	I don't think I've ever used a filter with snow - and I get a lot of snow here. As above, just shoot overexposed - the camera will try to average the scene to a grey, but with snow it's tricked as snow is so light.