How to Take Great Skiing and Snowboarding Pictures

Cold, snowy conditions are tough on photographers. Add a fast-moving object on skis or a snowboard, and it's going to be even harder to capture a well-exposed, sharply focused image.

When photographing skiers and snowboarders, timing means everything. In order to capture the action on the slopes effectively, the New York Institute of Photography, AmericaÕs oldest and largest photography school, suggests that the photographer consult with the subject and learn his or her route in advance. The photographer can then set up the camera in advance and prefocus on a mutually-agreed upon spot before the subject whizzes by.

In some cases, however, you may want to convey a sense of motion in your photos of the slopes. Chuck DeLaney, Dean of NYI, recommends panning with the subject to create this illusion of speed and motion in the image. 'Use a slow shutter speed, say, 1/30th,' he reminds his students, 'and follow the subject in your viewfinder as he approaches you, keep him there as you shoot, and keep following him after you shoot. You want to have a smooth motion, like a tennis player swinging and following through with the ball.'

To learn more about how to photograph skiers and snowboarders, see the article on the New York Institute of PhotographyÕs Web site – Reference Shelf – Subjects area or by visiting: http://www.nyip.com/tips/topic_skiing2001.html.

You will also find articles on Cold Weather Photography: http://www.nyip.com/tips/topic_coldtemps01.html
and Photographing Olympic Sports:
http://www.nyip.com/tips/topic_olympic_sports0102.php
These articles may also be of interest to you.

© New York Institute of Photography 2002
Reprinted with permission from the New York Institute of Photography Web site at www.nyip.com.