2 years in Canada provided the experience of a lifetime to be exposed to a climate a little different from the often mild UK.
We were lucky enough to spend a good amount of time in the Rocky mountains not far from Banff, Alberta. If you've been or ever go, you'll understand how magical a place it is to live. As a photographer & videographer, it was hard to not stop every five minutes to capture something.
There are many more famous landscape photographers that reside near Banff and Canmore or have passed through and you can see why. One look at Banff avenue or the three sisters mountains is enough to have you in awe.
Shooting was always incredible but it does come at a risk. At one point, temperatures in the mountains dropped to -45°C. Water would very quickly freeze in these conditions. During photographing my most loved boiling water shot, I'll never forget how removing a glove for five minutes could very quickly put you at risk of numbness then frostbite.
Genuine considerations for shooting in the extreme cold are:
- Clothes
Wearing individual layers (especially if hiking) to keep you safely warm, gloves that you can operate with that still protect your hands and boots that won't let the snow in if you step through two feet of snow.
- Awareness of conditions
A general awareness of the cold is good to have since subjects can't stay still for too long in sub zero temperatures. The temperature can also pose a genuine health risk if not prepared properly for conditions.
- Equipment ready
More often than I'd like to admit, phones would die instantly at 80% and camera batteries sometimes worked for half their normal stength. Bringing lenses from -45°C outdoors to a 15°C car interior and back risked severe condensation and freezing on elements.
Developing a mental checklist of equipment you need outdoors and how is essential. An external power supply is a godsend when things go wrong.
With all that said, I hope you can skip the learning cuve I took by following these tips. Some of my best photographs, timelapses and videos are from colder climates so if you are prepared properly, it is worth the risk for the shot!
