How to Photograph Glaciers

Photographing glaciers is a tricky but rewarding experience.

Photographing glaciers can be tricky due to the bright white light reflecting off the snow and ice. Digital cameras in automatic mode misinterpret this second light source and end up using undesirable white balance and exposure settings. Sometimes it is physically difficult to position yourself a proper distance from the glacier. Melting snow during the winter may make your photographs less appealing to the eye. Understanding the nuances of glacier photography will allow you to take some memorable photos.

Instructions

1. Visit the glacier in early fall, early spring or late summer. This prevents the presence of meltwater from ruining your photos.

2. Time your photographs for the hour after sunrise or the hour before sunset. The variations of colored light add ambiance to your photos.

3. Switch your camera out of automatic mode so you can manually set the exposure setting. Use a hand-held light meter, an ISO dial or an exposure compensation dial to set the camera to 1 - 2 stops of overexposure. Alternatively you can decrease the exposure to show added texture in the glacier and snow. Some cameras have a Cloudy setting that helps during the frequent cloudy winter days. Use your custom white balance mode on sunny days and point the camera at a patch of snow. This prevents a blue tint in your photographs.

4. Photograph the glacier using close-up, middle-distance and far-away images. Close-up photos show added details while far-away photos give you a perspective of the entire landscape.

5. Keep your camera warm while in the cold. Condensation, foggy lens and quick draining batteries can harm your camera. Immediately wipe any moisture off the camera. Bring an extra battery with you to be safe.

References

• Luminous Landscape: Exposing Snow
• Digicamhelp: Photographing snow