Snowy Owl Tour & Photography Workshop

Which lenses should I bring? My answer, “Bring a long lens, a wide angle, and everything in between!” Every snowy owl tour is different; some snowy owls are more tolerant (i.e., let us get closer), while others less. Having a variety of focal lengths will ensure you’re ready for any given situation.

I carry a variety of lenses in the field for different photographic purposes. I like creating environmental images showing the owl and the landscape, as much as I enjoy creating frame-filling images for strong visual impact. Your guide will help you create a diversified and complete snowy owl portfolio.

If I were limited to ONE lens, I would choose a 300 F2.8. This lens in combination with an extender would cover 90% of my photographic needs with Snowy Owls.

Here’s what’s in my bag for reference:

• 500mm F4
• 100-400mm
• 70-200mm
• 17-40mm
• 1.4 Extender
•  2 camera bodies
• Lens covers (practical for wet snow and the occasional light rain)
• Tripod (I use mine for static shots, and shoot action handheld)
• *Flash ( I never saw real benefits of using flash on snowy owls)

Our time will be spent photographing in open wide fields in a variety of winter conditions.

Temperatures in the months of January and February can vary from -5Cels to -25Cels not including the wind factor. The key to keeping warm is in layering and your choice of clothing.

Head

• Tuque/beanie (windproof if your jacket has no hood)
• Balaclava (with an opening in the mouth area to prevent camera viewfinder fogging)
• Neck warmer
• Sunglasses or Ski goggles (snow acts as a reflector and can easily irritate your eyes)
• Sunscreen
• Lip balm

Upper Body

• One or two long- sleeve base layers (synthetic or wool is best)
• A warm hoodie (RAB makes an excellent one: Power Stretch Pro Hoody )
• A warm winter parka or jacket (preferably with a hood)

Hands

To keep my hands warm in cold weather, I wear a good pair of ski gloves that allows me to operate my camera. And on very cold days, I insert a chemical hand warmer (supplied during the workshop) in each glove for extra warmth. Some will layer their gloves (thinner one to operate the camera and a warmer one to cover the other pair while not shooting) and some will wear mitts with a built-in glove that can be accessed by “flipping” the mitt. My recommendation is to find a system that works for YOU.

A popular photography glove system amongst photographers is the  Heat3 Smart Glove.

Legs

I use a 3-layer system to keep my legs warm. Thick fitted long underwear that transfers moisture away from the skin, quick dry pants and insulated ski pants (with inner thigh venting for heat regulation).

Feet

Thick pair of wool socks and a good pair of winter boots keeps my feet warm while out on the frozen fields. When shopping for boots, don’t be sold solely by “cold ratings” such as “rated for -100Cels”, the cold will eventually penetrate the best boot out there if you’re standing still. The trick is to keep your feet moving on very cold days. Look for a boot that goes mid way from your ankle to your knee, has a thick rubber sole, and a removable inner boot system (dries quickly should they get wet).