Evening star., 1949-01-02

We take up the subject Of snow
photography with mixed feelings
The stuff is undeniably beautiful K
contemplate through the window o
well-heated room. Trampinl
about in the slush that inevitably
follows Is another side Of the story
that we prefer not to think about
too INDEPENDENTLY in view o.
skid chains, galoshes, sniff1es anc
all. However, most camera fan.
thrive on the white product Of the
clouds-so here we go again.
One fine morning. not too far off
you will awaken to a new world
A world of black and white con-
trasts and interesting camera prob
lens. All the familiar objects that
were so drab and prosaic the day
before will have taken on new and
interesting shapes and patterns. For
the moment you will even forget
that your car is that shapeless lump
in the driveway and that you will
probably have to walk six blocks
to the nearest bus stop. AS you look
out the window your mind will be
on other things-lens, stops, shutter
speeds, filters, films and other para
phernalia you will need to record
your snow scenes before the sun
and CRIME of the city begin to alter
the picture.
There is only one way that you
can really enjoy taking pictures OF
snow and that's to be appropriately
dressed for the occasion. As long
as the average person is warm he
Is usually happy about what he il
doing-whether working over desk
at the Office or foundering about ir
snow drifts with q camera. So. Il
you are really determined to &c,
some good snow pictures this year
by all means dress to keep warm
and dry. Don't load yourself down
with heavy clothing 50 that every
step Is an effort. A stout pair OF
galoshes will keep out the snow
and, together with a couple Of pair,
Of heavy socks, will keep your feet
warm and dry.
Get the Picture Early.
Your best snow shots will be made
as soon as the fakes have stopped
falling. At that time each branch
and twig will have its quota o.
clinging crystals. But, within short
time after the sun goes to work thu
initial beauty of the fall is lessened
In a very short while the feather.
like quality is lost as the fakes mel
and consolidate. BY midmorning
unless the weather is unusually cold
most of the snow will have faller
from the trees and bushes with 9
consequent loss of pictorial appeal
And a little bit later on you will
begin to notice the layer Of chimney
SCOT, spread like dark veil over
the glistening surface, causing in.
evitable loss of quality.
The long shadows cast by the early
morning and late evening sun will
make those hours your best shooting
periods. When the sun is overhead
snow will photograph fat uninter.
esting white. But a low sun will
emphasize all the small irregularities
of the snowscape and lend detail
and texture to the scene. Sidelight.
ings and backlightings are best ane
you will need a sunshade to keer
sunrays and glare from ice and snow
from reaching your lens. If you are
caught without a sunshade you car
easily make one with short length
Of black cardboard or paper held ir
place around the lens with a rubber
band.
Additional light and shadow con.
trast can be had with the use of g
XII or K-2 yellow filter. A rec
Alter will produce even more con.
trast with panchromatic film but
Is not suggested except in unusua