Snow Pictures

[jwstewar]

The camera didn't capture the sun like it actually look but still turned out OK.

[jwstewar]

Another Shot

[jwstewar]

Last one.

[DocHeb]

The problem with cameras is that they try to capture the picture at a value of 18% light reflectance (I'm pulling this out of my head from a photography class from 30 years ago - so cut me some slack here [img]/forums/images/icons/smile.gif[/img] ). Snow pictures have a much higher amount of light. This means the white snow gets underexposed to try and decrease the photo to the 18% level. Attatched is your first picture corrected by my Camedia Software "Instant Fix". This takes the lightest pixel in the photo and sets it at absolute white, and then adjusts all the other pixels from there. This makes for a brighter snow scene.

[jwstewar]

That sure did make an improvement. Still wish it could've captured the true reflective light the snow was doing right at that particular moment. It looked really cool and I wanted to share. [img]/forums/images/icons/smile.gif[/img] Thanks for the correction and the photo lesson.

[GaryM]

100% correct DocHerb! For snow, or beach pictures for that mater, you need to force your camera to provide more exposure than it would normally provide. 1.5 to 2 stops will usually do the trick.

Some cameras cannot do this, but most can. How you do it varies from model to model. Was the picture taken with a digital camera?

[jwstewar]

Yes, it was. It is an older Sony Mavica. Will only do 1024X768. Need to play with the settings more.

[GaryM]

I found the manual on the web ( http://mavicausers.org/FD81.pdf ) and on page 10 it says you can vary the exposure +- 1.5 stops.

So, depending on the amount of snow vs. non-snow, I'd increase exposure by one stop and then try 1.5. At least on the LCD you get some idea of the effect.

I see on Pg. 36 that there is a beach/ski mode under the Program AE settings. That should give more exposure. Maybe more than the 1.5 stops that you can add with exposure compensation.

Give it a try and tell us how it works.

[jwstewar]

OK, I will. But now I have to wait for more snow. Almost made it to the 50s yesterday, 40s today and 20s tomorrow. Gotta love Ohio weather......

[JohnMiller3]

<font color="blue">...1.5 to 2 stops will usually do the trick... </font color>

Hi Gary,

When do ya know where to set the "settings" properly?

or is most by trial and error? (or by lots of photo taking experience...[img]/forums/images/icons/blush.gif[/img])