Quixdraw Loc: x

If you are one of the fortunate who live where it is warm year round, or migrate like the birds, read no further.

Minus six here yesterday morning, one degree this morning. Though we have a variety of reasonably warm days, above freezing, at least, in the course of the winter, most of the time it is pretty cold. I know a lot of the tricks for operating and protecting a camera in cold weather. I even have access to a Nikon AW 120 (a work camera) that has a broader operating range. I really don't much like exposing my cameras to extreme conditions, cold or hot, because to me they are not "consumables". The fuss, bagging waiting, checking etc. is boring. Beyond all that, since I have gotten on a bit in years, I prefer to stay warm.

So -- to maintain the practice of photography through the cold months what choices do I have?
Lots of windows in the house, wildlife, etc. outside. Car trips -- can certainly drive places and take pictures from the car or go to indoor environments. Cooking photos, those are easy. Doing some close up or even macro work. Then there is the mountain of slides and negatives waiting for me downstairs. No trips planned this winter, so that is out unless cabin fever becomes extreme.

What about the rest of you cold weather Hedgehogs?

Jean Chang Loc: Massachusetts

I am definitely a "fair-weather photographer" (in other words, I'm a total wimp LOL. If it's too hot or too cold, I stay indoors. Fortunately, I also am a watercolor painter, so I use some of my photos as references, and can paint indoors, nice and warm (or cool, as the case may be.)

Sometimes I resort to set-ups. I'll find some interesting branches, and set them up on my back deck near the feeders, and then shoot from inside. I have managed to get some nice bird shots that way.

Kalina54 Loc: Flagstaff, AZ

I am headed to Northern Norway to hunt for the Aurora!

chapjohn Loc: Tigard, Oregon

Water drop photography. Make your own set up and shoot.

rmalarz Loc: Tempe, Arizona

Finally, the black focusing cloth of my view camera won't be the roasting oven it is during the warmer 5 months of the year. The cold and weather has never stopped me, as those are the most interesting scenic photos to take.

For the northern dwellers, we in the desert live 180 degrees out of phase with you. Such as, we leave work in the summer, walk straight to the car, turn on the air conditioner full blast, and drive straight home to where the indoor temperature is reasonable.

180 degrees out of phase, you pretty much do the same in the cold weather. Straight to the car, turn the heater up full blast, drive straight home to reasonable indoor temperature, and that's about it. Same behaviour, different time of the year.

Though, I have to admit most of the folks here are wussies. I was at the pub the other night. The outdoor temperature was mid 70s. People were asking for the portable heaters to be turned on and placed nearby. What a bunch of pansies.
--Bob

Ched49 Loc: Pittsburgh, Pa.

The last two days here in Pittsburgh it was 60 degrees and sunny but when it gets too cold out, I just put some peanuts in a dish on the back deck and take pictures through the glass door in the dinning room.

rook2c4 Loc: Philadelphia, PA USA

When weather conditions get really harsh, out comes my Minolta Weathermatic 35 DL camera.

Quixdraw Loc: x

Always wondered why the black focusing cloths weren't black inside and silver or white outside.

Actually, I can always resort to film. Have plenty on hand, and those cameras are less vulnerable, as long as I bag before bringing inside.

I don't mind the heat as much, and mid 40's on up don't other me.

Have to get back to Arizona one of these days -- Caught a major Arts Festival in Phoenix / Scottsdale a number of years ago that was great. Also the Arizona Biltmore that Frank Lloyd Wright designed was one big photo op.

moonhawk Loc: Land of Enchantment

Good time to play around with post processing?

Quixdraw Loc: x

Your turn will come! We have more than enough rodents out here in the country -- the bird feeders are bad enough. I am reluctant to encourage any more, even with the dogs.

Quixdraw Loc: x

Absolutely sensible -- problem is that I love taking pictures far more than (nasty me) what I regard as fussing with photos. It may come to that.

Quixdraw Loc: x

Interesting -- when I was painting - oils or more often acrylics, I found it much easier to paint from my photos than from the "living" scene as well. Suppose it is something to do with 3 dimension vs 2 conversion. Thanks for commenting!
p.s. I never managed a watercolor that looked like much more than a mud puddle, so alternate media!

Quixdraw Loc: x

Masochism lives ? ;-) Should be wonderful, saw the aurora many times up near the boundary waters. Have a great trip!

Quixdraw Loc: x

Good idea -- make me do some work with flash! Thanks!

Quixdraw Loc: x

Yeah, that's what the AW 120 will do as well, but no viewfinder, and I sure don't need another camera. Thanks!