LOCALadk Magazine

50 Winter 2019 LOCALadk Magazine LOCALadk Algonquin Summit Neutral density filters are another type of filter that can yield interesting results. These filters come in var ying de- grees of darkness that prevent a certain amount of light from reaching the camera sensor, thus requiring a longer ex- posure time to be used. Neutral density filters are particular- ly useful in situations where a long exposure is desired but it's too bright out to use a long exposure time without over- exposing the photo. These filters are great for turning nearly imperceptible motion, such as foam bubbles or fallen leaves on the water's surface slowly turning in an eddy, or clouds gradually drifting through the sky, into fascinating swirls and streaks that are revealed over the course of a multi-second exposure. A remote shutter release is another useful and relatively inexpensive accessor y. These come in var ying levels of func- tionality, but all ser ve the same general purpose, which is to trip the shutter and take a photo by pressing the remote shutter release instead of pressing the shutter on the cam- era. This helps to create the sharpest image possible by elim- inating vibration that could be introduced by pressing the shutter button on the camera. Spare batteries in winter are also critical, as frigid temperatures sap batter y life, and a mi- crofiber cloth also comes in handy for wiping water droplets and dew off of the lens front without scratching the lens. Proper clothing and hiking gear plays as critical a role as photography equipment when it comes to winter photogra- phy, and is essential not only for safe and efficient travel, but also to make the photographic experience as enjoyable as possible. While a deep-dive into this topic is beyond the scope of this article, one of the most important pieces of non-photographic gear that has the biggest impact on winter shooting is hand protection. Finding the optimal balance be- tween warmth and dexterity can be tricky, but a pair of light- weight gloves with grip on the fingertips provides enough dexterity to adjust camera settings while typically providing sufficient warmth in calm conditions. In truly frigid or exces- sively windy conditions, throwing a pair of mittens over the gloves allows the hands to warm up before going down to just gloves again when camera adjustments are necessar y. The Alpine Zone Once you're geared up with the proper photography and hiking equipment, it's time to head out to the winter wilder- ness. The alpine zone above tree line in the High Peaks is one of the most fascinating destinations for winter shoots in the Adirondacks. Even when the foothills have just a dusting of snow, this zone is often a veritable winter wonderland. With ever-changing and oftentimes savage weather, you never know exactly what conditions you'll be greeted with, no mat- ter how many times you've climbed a given peak. This can make it challenging to plan ahead and visualize the kind of photographs that you'd like to make, but it also presents a great opportunity for making incredible images. Given the exposed nature of the alpine zone, where shelter from the elements is practically nonexistent and snowdrifts can often obscure navigational markers, above tree line is not the place to be during inclement weather. After a storm has passed, however, can be one of the best times for cap- turing images in these areas that are covered in freshly fallen snow with dramatic, clearing skies overhead. Depending on the size of the storm, access above tree line can be more challenging and dangerous than usual, as trudg- ing through a couple feet of powder, even with snowshoes on, requires significantly more effort than trekking on hard- packed snow. While rare in these mountains, avalanche dan- ger is also heightened after a heavy fall of snow. The alpine zone is also an excellent destination to photograph early and late in the season, when the conditions at lower elevations are suboptimal. A climb that begins on a trail barely covered in snow can lead to areas that still resemble peak winter con- ditions.

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