Analogue photography in freezing cold weather – what should I bear in mind?

In principle, you can take good photographs in the cold, and analogue cameras and film in particular are hardly affected by the cold. However, I do have a few tips.

The battery tends to run out quickly. Is this going to be a problem?

In freezing temperatures, batteries have a shorter lifespan. You may have experienced a smartphone suddenly switching off when it has just 10% battery power. This is a common issue with many batteries. Carrying spare batteries in your pocket can be helpful. Before taking photos in frosty conditions, make sure you know which batteries your camera requires.

Analog photographers may not be concerned with what causes a digital camera to fail completely. Old cameras often only require power for exposure metering. This can be done by feel, even without power, and you may be surprised at how many correctly exposed photos you can get. Cameras such as the Leica M series, Nikon F3, or PRAKTICA are unaffected by power failure. Similarly, my Nikon FE, like many similar SLR cameras, requires power only to raise the mirror using a magnet. The camera requires very little power, and the batteries last for months, even though I shoot several films every week. However, I always carry spare batteries with me.

If you have a newer analog camera that requires power for winding and autofocus, it is recommended to carry spare batteries in your pocket. In freezing weather, the batteries may become too cold if stored in a rucksack or camera bag, so it is best to keep them warm on your body. These cameras consume a lot of power, so it is necessary to change the batteries frequently. To save valuable battery time, manually switch off the camera after use.
If your camera’s batteries die and you can no longer take photos or measure exposure, don’t worry. The film in the camera is safe and won’t break even at -20 degrees. In extreme cold, there are no color distortions or incorrect exposures. However, with Polaroid or instant cameras, color distortions and incorrect exposures can occur during development in cold weather. If you want to take a picture in the cold, some colours may be missing. To ensure good quality photos, keep your camera warm by storing it inside your jacket before use. After taking a photo, place it in your pocket without bending or denting it. An empty packet can be used to protect the photo.

Can I unpack a camera with ice-cold film in the lab and develop it immediately?

It is advisable to avoid this mistake. I personally develop black and white films, but I send color films to a lab. The lab I go to is called Jet-Foto has a C41 processor in the middle of the room, and they process my film quickly, sometimes instantly. I receive the developed film in my hands 30 minutes later.

Other photographers often come in with their cameras from outside when it’s freezing. They put their cameras on the counter, rewind the film, and hand it in for processing. The B&W development must be at exactly 20 degrees, while color development requires 38 degrees. If the film is cold, it needs to warm up before entering the machine. This warming process takes time and can cause the film to lack important time for developing. Furthermore, condensation forms on the film. Like glasses or a camera lens, film can fog up when moving from a cold to a warm environment. To prevent this, avoid getting water on the film. A helpful tip is to rewind the film immediately after exposure, place it in an empty canister, and keep it in a warm pocket.

Tip: to ensure you always have a fresh roll of film in your camera, use the canister to hold the new roll until you need it. I prefer to keep my exposed film well-protected from keys, dust, and cold by storing it in a film canister in my pocket, while keeping a new, unexposed film in the camera.

How do I stay motivated when the weather is bad or freezing?

We spent the night in the nature reserve, which is forbidden. We got up long before sunrise and packed our things to avoid being surprised by the national park rangers. The sleeping bag had a small layer of ice on it.
We need to leave quickly to warm up. I anticipate the first rays of sunshine and expect a warm day.

However, I notice fog in the valley and some trees covered in hoarfrost. Despite the quietness, I see photo opportunities everywhere. I lack the energy to retrieve the freezing camera from my rucksack and potentially operate it without gloves, wasting valuable time that I need to begin hiking and warm up.

I remind myself to stop and consider that a photo is not worth the effort. There are already plenty of sunset photos by the sea. I am going to go out there and take that one. I motivate myself by saying, ‘Just one picture!’ This approach works well. I aim to be quick and take pictures intuitively, without wasting time.

Looking back, I am pleased with these subjects and would like to explore them further. My only advice is to always have your camera ready for the next opportunity. This will save you time and frustration. For instance, I prepare for the next morning’s possible shots while going into my sleeping bag at night. I set the aperture to 2.8 and 1/30 second since it will still be dark. Additionally, I ensure that my camera is already wound up and the focus is set to infinity. When it’s cold in the morning and I have no energy, I simply take a photo. Additionally, I always keep my camera at the top of my rucksack or hang the camera bag around my neck while hiking.

If it’s pouring rain, I remind myself that it’s just water. And if it’s cold, I think about the nearest warm hut. When the weather is bad, I remind myself that I have a unique opportunity to capture the beauty of the scenery. Mountaineers, wildlife photographers, and polar explorers would appreciate this situation and take advantage of it. I aspire to be like them, rather than staying in my comfort zone and settling for mediocre photos.

I am not sure if anyone can understand this. However, such thoughts motivate me. When I take ‘that ONE photo,’ it often does not stop at one. I quickly forget the cold and return home happy with several rolls of film full of impressive motifs.

What tips and tricks do you have to motivate yourself to shoot in the cold? „My tips and tricks to motivate myself to shoot in the cold“,

I love to hear about your adventures!

You can find more information about these and similar topics, as well as more analogue photographs, on my YouTube channel.