Un Clair de Lune, Joseph Nicéphore Niépce (1765–1833), about 1827. Photograph on pewter. The Royal Photographic Society Collection at National Media Museum

The first photograph

The world of television, movies, digital photography and even video games owe it to, Joseph Niepce an amateur scientist in the 19 century. He is considered to be the worlds first photographer. His first photograph was taken in the summer of 1826. The photograph was taken from the window of his second floor of his workshop in Chalon-Sur-Saone, France.

Niepce was fascinated by the newly invented art of lithography 1813. In 1816 Niepce started his first experiments with the new medium. Recently studies of three of his photographs have shed new light on both Niepce and his photographic process.

Niepce created his first photographs on pewter plates using a process that included bitumen (asphalt). However examiners Art Kaplan and Dusan Stulik with the Getty Conservation institute in Los Angles have examined three of the amateurs scientist earliest photographs.

The scientist from Los Angles have found that Niepce used a process that baked lavender oil on pewter plate. This method was never noted or considered before. This newly found information magnifies Niepce’s influence on the evolution of photography.

Adjust your Exposure

Remember not to trust your cameras’ light meter. Like I said earlier, it is trying to expose the large area of snow to 18% gray. So all your whites will be underexposed. You will need to make a small adjustment. This can be achieved by opening the aperture 1/3 of a stop or slowing your shutter speed. (so you will need to set you camera to manual mode in order to get a perfect snow white scene.) Today with digital cameras it real easy to see you see the effects of your 1/3-stop adjustment. If you don’t get the desired affect keep increasing your aperture 1/3 a stop or slowing your shutter speed.

Metering

In bright white snow scenes you really don’t to want to trust your cameras matrix light meter (too much). What you want to do is switch you camera to spot metering mode if it is available to you, for the most critical scenes and to get the most accurate exposure. If your image is predominantly snow and ice then you may able to get by with center-weighted meter mode. The spot-metering mode will be your best option to get the most reliable exposure however. You will also want to examine the scene with the histogram. One the must under used features on the digital camera. You will want to see if your clipping your whites. If you are clipping your whites a lot you will need to adjust you shutter speed or aperture.

Source of light

As with any photography scene you need pay particular attention to the source of light or light sources. You want to pay close attention to how your subject is reacting to the light. It is real easy to under expose your subject because you are paying so much attention to getting the snow white. Depending what the your subject is you may want to blow out your whites. Remember you subject is why your telling this story. It is better to properly expose your subject. You may be forced to go with out properly exposed high lights then to loose detail in you shadow areas.

White Balance

Another way to introduce drama to your scene is through your white balance. You can ether warm or cool down you image by adjusting your white balance. Using tungsten white balance for example you can cool down you image. You will see a noticeable blue tint to your shadows area of the image.

The last bet of help I want to give you is to try to get as much done in camera. It is more fun I think to be outside working on my photography then inside working on my photographs. Always have fun and be safe!

We are now well into winter. All the holidays are over and I hope all went well for you and your family. I think winter has some of the best opportunities to photograph outdoors. However taking photographs outdoors you need to take extra care of your camera and equipment. Here are some things that I try to do to get the best out of my time in cold.

Camera care

Try to keep your camera as warm as possible. Most malfunctions will occur when the batteries are cold. Try not to wear you camera around you neck. Keep your camera in your coat or wrapped up in a backpack. Take along as many batteries as you can. Take more then you might think you will need. Never breath or blow off snow off your camera, and then wipe it clean. This little amount of moisture on the lens will smear and the moisture may freeze on the lens. Once you have finished for the day seal your camera in a large plastic bag. If you don’t your camera may collect moisture in your warm car or in the house. The plastic bag will keep the condensation out. Warm up you camera slowly. When you come home put your camera in cooler room then rest of the house. Once your camera as warmed up Keep it sealed and bring it into a warmer room of the house. Make sure you keep it sealed in the plastic bag.

Protect yourself

Always tell someone where you are going and when you to expect you back. You may never be in a dangerous situation, but if it ever happens, you will be happy that you told and that they where you are. Never be overconfident with your abilities. In winter every thing is always much harder and will take longer.

Always dress comfortable and warm you will have more fun and want to go out more often. Layering your clothing is important. Your first layer should be breathable and lightweight. You want the moisture to be pulled away from your skin. Your second layer should create a layer of protection from the temperature outside. This could be a fleece, vest and a hiking top. The final layer should protect you form the snow, rain and wind.

The same steps outlined above should be considered for your feet. Start off with a thin lightweight liner sock to wick away moisture. The next layer should be your hiking sock. Always ware waterproof your boots before heading out into the snow or rain. Dry boot are really important. Try to wear a boot that offers some ankle support. A good pair of gaiters worn over your boots will keep all the wet snow out of your boots. Mittens are always warmer then gloves.

Always maintain a comfort level and drink before you’re thirsty and eat before you’re hungry.

Check Back as I will go over how to get good shots in the winter

I would like to like to wish you and your loved ones a Happy New Year.  I pray that  2011 will bring you good times and good health.

I know that 2011 will be amazing year for Jack Arce Photography.  I am working on several projects and many more new ones in the next year.

Please keep checking back for announcements about these and other exciting developments. and please spread the word!