Question regarding filming in snow: Hi, my name is Ronda and I am retired so have more time to get back to the things I always enjoyed, like photography, drawing, working with and...

lovemals

Hi, my name is Ronda and I am retired so have more time to get back to the things I always enjoyed, like photography, drawing, working with and showing my Alaskan Malamutes. We lived in MI for 32 yrs. and are now transplants to NC. Big change! But, I still have my dogs, beautiful forests, mountains and beaches available to photograph here. Sorry, long intro.
My question is why is some of the photos I take in the snow coming out blue and some in the same area with the same camera come out with normal colors even if somewhat bleached out. I am not able to determine how to correct the color in an editing program. I am sure some one will have the answers. Thanks in advance.

Adirondack Hiker Loc: Southern Adirondacks

The blue color sounds like a white balance issue, too cold. I always shoot in RAW, so I can later adjust the white balance in Camera Raw. If you shot in jpeg, and use a program like Elements, go to adjust color, remove color cast, and click on the snow. It will set it to white. The bleached out is over exposed. After shooting, always check the histogram, or set the LCD image to show the "blinkies", which are overexposed areas.

Happyshack Loc: Loveland Ohio

I am pretty sure its your white balance setting. Most people have it set on Auto and that should work. Try changing that when you take your next shots. I would try the Bight Sunlight setting. There is also custom White Balance but I have never tried that. Most cameras have "Scene" modes. I have seen some the have a "Snow" mode. Here is a link to some suggestions.
http://www.imagemaven.com/blue-snow-in-photos/

Hope this helps. :-)

DaveD3

Then rule of thumb for snow/beaches or areas like this is to overexpose by one or two f-stops. Take a test shot and use the one that looks best. You can also get a grey card and use that to set your white balance.

Dale Fiorillo Loc: Seattle

A way to remember: if subject is bright - give more light, if subject is dark - give less light. It is called counter intuitive exposure.

georgevedwards Loc: Essex, Maryland.

I don't understand that, are you sure you got it right? A dark shot needs more light and vice versa.

DaveD3 wrote:

Then rule of thumb for snow/beaches or areas like this is to overexpose by one or two f-stops. Take a test shot and use the one that looks best. You can also get a grey card and use that to set your white balance.

marcomarks Loc: Ft. Myers, FL

lovemals wrote:

Hi, my name is Ronda and I am retired so have more... (show quote)

I've lived in MI for 58 years but next week I'll be transplanting to FL. A big change for me too!

georgevedwards Loc: Essex, Maryland.

I'll test it as soon as get a beach or some snow...could be a while.

georgevedwards wrote:

I don't understand that, are you sure you got it right? A dark shot needs more light and vice versa.

DaveD3 wrote:

Then rule of thumb for snow/beaches or areas like this is to overexpose by one or two f-stops. Take a test shot and use the one that looks best. You can also get a grey card and use that to set your white balance.

lovemals

georgevedwards wrote:

I don't understand that, are you sure you got it right? A dark shot needs more light and vice versa.

DaveD3 wrote:

Then rule of thumb for snow/beaches or areas like this is to overexpose by one or two f-stops. Take a test shot and use the one that looks best. You can also get a grey card and use that to set your white balance.

I don't quite get that one either. Can you explain why it works? Doesn't seem like it would.

Wabbit Loc: Arizona Desert

[quote=lovemals]

georgevedwards wrote:

I don't understand that, are you sure you got it right? A dark shot needs more light and vice versa.

DaveD3 wrote:

Then rule of thumb for snow/beaches or areas like this is to overexpose by one or two f-stops. Take a test shot and use the one that looks best. You can also get a grey card and use that to set your white balance.

I don't think your white balance was set on Auto. The fluorescent white balance setting in daylight will give your pictures a blue tint.

Wabbit Loc: Arizona Desert

lovemals wrote:

georgevedwards wrote:

I don't understand that, are you sure you got it right? A dark shot needs more light and vice versa.

DaveD3 wrote:

Then rule of thumb for snow/beaches or areas like this is to overexpose by one or two f-stops. Take a test shot and use the one that looks best. You can also get a grey card and use that to set your white balance.

I don't quite get that one either. Can you explain why it works? Doesn't seem like it would.

The exposure meter gets fooled in very bright conditions so it can make your picture come out dark. If you use exposure compensation it will over ride the exposure the light meter picks. If you don't give some extra light in very bright scenes like snow or at the beach your pictures can be on the dark side.

iresq Loc: Annapolis MD

+1 on the +1 or 2. You can also take your exposure reading off the sky.