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My Snowflake Setup
Jan 2, 2015 08:58:02   #
dalematt Loc: Goderich, Ontario, Canada
 
I have had a few people ask me about my technique, so I thought that I would post this to help. The attached photo is of my setup. As you can see, we have very little snow so far this winter which is most unusual. At this time last year, we had about 2 - 3 feet of snow and the local highways had already been closed once.

I got a 10" x 20" piece of glass from a local glass company (free!) and duck taped the edges so that the klutz in me wouldn't cut myself. I keep it outside to keep it cold or, if I bring it from the garage, leave it outside for about 30 minutes to get it cold. I place it on my deck railing and somewhat brace it against an upright post so as to hopefully not blow down and break.

I do not use a flash as I have found that the light bounces back and blows out the photo. Instead, I use the ambient light that is available. I have considered having a light about 3' below on the floor of the deck, but I haven't found that I need to do so yet.

Everything is on the north side of the house, out of the sunlight that could surely warm up the glass and melt the flakes.

I try to have the camera as close to perpendicular as possible. Just the slightest bit off results in part of a snowflake to be out of focus.

I take LOTS of photos! The other day, I took 89 photos and not one turned out. :-( The next day, I took 23 photos and 8 turned out okay, one of them being the latest that I posted. Even so, I wasn't quite at perpendicular and part of the flake was slightly out of focus.

I also use a wired remote shutter release to prevent camera shake.

The flakes so far this year have been so small, that I have had to do some heavy cropping.

I hope that this helps.
Dale


(Download)

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Jan 2, 2015 09:10:41   #
Yooper 2 Loc: Ironwood, MI
 
Thank you for sharing. I'm going to try this. I live in 'Big Snow Country' so I should have plenty of opportunity to use it. It snows here nearly every day.

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Jan 2, 2015 13:23:23   #
EnglishBrenda Loc: Kent, England
 
Thanks for that Dale. We lack snow here near the sea in Alicante but when I return to cold old England I will be keen to try it out.

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