5 Tips for Making the Most Out of the Next Snowstorm

If you live in North America, you probably don’t get too excited about snow. For many, snow is just a nuisance that needs to be cleared out of the driveway, but there is much more to snow than just shoveling. For photographers, snowstorms will give a new and fresh look to a familiar sight. Even in New York City, one of the most photographed cities in the world, you can capture exceptional, never seen before, images during snowstorms. Ask any Eskimo, and he will tell you that snow can come in many forms, each is unique and will have different effect on the environment and therefore on your photos. With that in mind, I compiled some tips that will be helpful if you want to get the best of the next snowstorm.

1. Protect yourself

Leaving the house during a snowstorm or a blizzard can be a very bad idea if you are not prepared. Staying dry, warm and safe while being out in the storm should be your number one priority. Before leaving the house make sure to take with you waterproof gloves and knee-high snow boots. If you have ski equipment, don’t hesitate to use it for your photo shoot. I always wear my waterproof ski outfit when I’m out photographing in the storm. This includes ski mask and goggles. Goggles are especially useful during blizzards as the combination of wind and snow is very painful for the eyes. Underneath all of the above, I wear thermals long sleeved shirt, leggings and socks. Another thing that always helps me stay warm are hand warmers, and my favorite hack is to put them inside the boots.

2. Protect your equipment

As I see it, there are three main options to protect your gear during a storm. The first one, if you are dealing with light snow and no wind, is to go commando - hiding the camera under a jacket or umbrella if you have a friend with you. Some DSLR cameras are weatherproof and my Canon has suffered through many trips in snowstorms without any layers of protection. The second option is buying a camera water protector. I bought one around $10 and it worked beautifully during the latest, 2016 blizzard Jonas. Having said that, if you move around and don’t use a tripod it is not the most convenient option for operating the camera. So a third option is to create your own water protector by using the thickest garbage bag you can find. You simply cut a hole in the bag for the lens, then place the camera inside the bag with just the end of the lens sticking out through the hole. Now, you can mount the lens hood over the plastic bag to keep it from moving and blocking your view. A rubber band can be used as an additional safety measure.

3. Take a friend

During snowstorms the streets are usually empty. A person standing in the middle of the road, holding a black umbrella, can make the difference between a nice photo and an exceptional one. However, finding someone in that perfect position is not an easy task. Moreover, waiting for the right moment to come during a storm can be exhausting. Sending a friend to pose for you, holding that perfect colored umbrella you bought in advance, is much easier and highly recommended for the quality of your photos as well as your safety.

4. Look for landmarks


So you are out on the city streets, during a snowstorm, looking for your next shot. Including the city’s landmarks in your photos is going to be a safe bet. In New York City for example, aim for composition that will make the location recognizable, such as a subway station entrance, Empire State Building and yellow cabs. These will provide an instant context and their familiarity will be the initial bond of the spectator with the photo.

5. Put the finishing touches

Now, after walking in the storm and taking all these images, you come back home only to find out that the beautiful snowflakes are nowhere to be seen. No worries, a few steps in any photo editing app can transform your images from that old winter look to the new and fresh 'winter wonderland' look. A few basic steps that I always start from can help you make that change: Take the highlights down, clarity up and get rid of the shadows. As a result, more details will appear in the image, including the snowflakes. After doing these three steps, you can now better appreciate the quality of your image.

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There is No Business Like Snow Business

I woke up early in the morning anxious to see the result of Juno, a.k.a #snowmagadon. As most New Yorkers, I was very disappointed when I looked through the window and saw that we are not covered in snow more than usual. There was so much preparation to this storm, everything was shut down, schools, subway trains, stores and offices, cars were banned off the roads and many were given a day off work. In this case, the math is simple; one day off + heavy snow = Central Park. So there I go. The park was packed and everybody was happy and smiling. Sledging was one of the main attractions. Even the smallest hills had someone sliding off of them. Kids and adults alike, were all just having fun sledging down the hills. I especially liked the mother and two children sliding with their hyper energetic puppy. Another popular activity was building snowmen and (of course) taking selfies with them.

Remember when a week ago I said that: "Piles of snow were quickly turned into snowmen, popping up under every tree, like mushrooms after the rain"? Well, after Juno there were giant snowmen popping up. Some of them were definitely the tallest snowmen I have ever seen. Walking through the park felt like touring a snowmen museum. Absolutely fabulous! Between all the humans, dogs visiting the park enjoyed the snow as well. They were jumping and running, sniffing and digging.

Finally, the sunset painted the sky in pink. This was the appropriate ending to a perfect snow day after the storm. And the most important lesson I have learned is that if you don't have a sledge, you can always slide on a piece of cardboard. 

When the sun set, people pored from the snow hills into the roads. They were holding their sledges and the street lamps lit their way back home.

Winter Storm Juno

Wow! Never in my life have I seen so much snow. The snow showers started early this morning, but at that point it was just another snowy day in the city. Late afternoon, when I went out, it was absolutely spectacular. Everything was covered in white; cars, bikes, mail boxes, garbage bags, people jackets, umbrellas and hair. Even the tons of salt sprinkled on the roads and sidewalks were not able to fight the snow. I was walking on ice blocks and occasionally my boots sank into huge piles of snow. Yes, it was pure fun!

After walking on the 8th avenue for less than a minute, I was promptly covered with snow. There was a pile of snow on my backpack, another one in my hair and some fair amount on my boots. Also, my camera changed its color from black to bright white. I firmly resisted the cold as well as my parents panic messages from Israel, telling me to take a cab or at least the subway. 

I was filled with Adrenalin, so the cold didn't bother me. Surprisingly, although the city is in the middle of one of its biggest storms ever, the people I met on the streets were cooperative and were kind enough to avoid blocking my view and even pose for me. It seems that the snow is making people happy. Or maybe because I'm happy, people are smiling back?

I love the fact that the light reflecting from the snow makes the pictures look warm and welcoming. To me, the colors in this post match the feelings I had while strolling the streets. When I first came to New York I felt that this city is cold and hostile. I could not be more wrong and I'm happy I can now see kindness and warmness on every corner of this amazing city.