aschweik Loc: NE Ohio

I posted in October, asking for tips on taking pictures of snowflakes and got many great, helpful answers! I got a Tamron 90mm macro for Christmas and yesterday we got some snow (just a little and tiny flakes, and it was 15 degrees). But I HAD to go out and shoot, even though I didn't have a lot of time. The one real problem I had was that my camera froze up after about 10 minutes. This surprised me since I've had it out in the cold before with no issues (Nikon D5100). I brought the camera inside in a bag and let it warm up for a few minutes, then back outside where it did work for maybe 5 minutes. I really wanted to keep shooting so I went in and soaked a dish towel in hot water and put it in a zip lock bag, then put the bag over my camera on the tripod. I left it on there until I was ready to shoot, then put it back on until I wanted to shoot again. This seemed to do the trick. It kept the camera warm enough that it kept on working. I'm posting my first snowflake efforts here....I know they are not perfect. I didn't use a light source and I need to practice focusing. But just thought I'd post here again to thank everyone for their good advice! For future macro work I'll use the macro forum. Thanks, everyone, and have a Happy New Year.

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Valsmere Loc: New Jersey

Those are GREAT !!!!!!

bgrn Loc: Pleasant Grove UT

Nice! May I ask what you did for lighting. I want to try the same thing but the weather is not cooperating, not much in snow fall this year.

Pablo8 Loc: Nottingham UK.

Well done for persevering with the cold weather / camera problems. Here in my little part of the UK, we (I am) are waiting for snow to arrive. Purely for photographic reasons. Your tiny flakes have come out well .

aflundi Loc: Albuquerque, NM

Might it have also worked a little easier to just pop the battery and keep it in your warm pocket until you were ready? Do you have two batteries you could swap between your pocket and the camera?

Bill_de Loc: US

You really caught some nice flakes.

Instead of warming up the camera, try just the battery. Better still, keep a spare in an inside pocket and switch them out.

Years ago, pre digital, Nikon made a cord that connected the camera to a battery in your pocket. They may be afraid to do it today because of the fires that have been blamed on lithium batteries.

Keep up the good work.

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Edit - Aflundi types faster than me. I guess I could just say that I agree.

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Bozsik Loc: Orangevale, California

Beautifully captured.

Lack of camera function in the cold is usually due to cold batteries. A few companies make ac power supplies for the camera. They just plug into the battery compartment, and you are ready to go. Since this setup can be done at home, it might be an alternative to the warm, wet bags.

http://www.bestbatt.com/Nikon-EH-5-Plus-EP-5A-AC-Power-Adapter-Kit-p/bbeh5ka.htm?vfsku=BBEH5KA&vfsku=BBEH5KA&gpla=pla&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIqZyisPax2AIVgvhkCh1d1wZbEAQYAiABEgJLoPD_BwE

aschweik Loc: NE Ohio

I did not use any lighting at all. This is just natural light. Most of the reason was because I didn't have a lot of time to play with a light set up...I had to leave the house soon to go somewhere so I was pressed for time. But lighting is something I will be experimenting with soon. I have an external flash so I'll be trying that. Some people have recommended a ring light but I have no experience with that. This is all trial and error for me. Thanks for your interest...hope it snows for you soon!

aschweik Loc: NE Ohio

I did try taking out the battery and putting a warm one in but that did not work. Next time this happens I will try it again. It would be preferable to the hot towel in a bag! But yes, since I was just at home and didn't have a lot of time, the hot towel served it's purpose as a temporary fix. I will try keeping a battery warm and trading it with the cold one next time and hopefully I can dispense with the very unprofessional, lame looking bag. lol. Thanks to all for the battery suggestion!

deer2ker Loc: Nashville, TN

Aren't snowflakes a marvel! I am glad you posted because I was going to try out my new Tokina 100 when the snow comes next week. This will save me a headache regarding the camera (I have a D5500) and the batteries - your pics are lovely!

PixelStan77 Loc: Vermont/Chicago

Outstanding first try. Great images. Have fun and have a very Happy and Healthy New Year with lots of snowflake images.

bgrn Loc: Pleasant Grove UT

I hope it snows too, my wife and I are supposed to be snow shoeing.....ya right that's not going to happen yet.....instead of 3-4 feet of snow this time of year we have dirt and mud trails, :). For not having time to set up they turned out well. Good luck experimenting, its kind of what makes this whole thing enjoyable to see what we can do.

BassmanBruce Loc: Middle of the Mitten

I think you did really well, especially for a first time. I've tried and I find rather difficult. My biggest surprise was how hard it is to find beautiful snow flakes like the ones you found. I hope to see more on your next try.

Marionsho Loc: Kansas

Well done Audrey. Thanks for the post. I'll have to try that with my 90mm Tammy. When it snows.

fourg1b2006 Loc: Long Island New York

Not bad for your first attempt...good job.