Shooting sport at any time of the year presents challenges but never more so than during the winter months. Rotten weather, limited daylight hours, extreme temperatures and the increased risk of injury all contrive to make filming winter sports particularly tough. Nevertheless, with the right gear and a few technical tips you can produce some stunning results.
Undoubtedly one of the most important considerations when shooting winter sports is the light, or more precisely lack of it. Unlike the summer months when you can shoot for most of the day, during the winter there are only a few hours available before the light fades completely. This means, generally speaking, it’s important to get up and out as early as possible in order to maximise filming time.
Even then, filming opportunities may be limited due to adverse weather conditions, such as a ‘white out’ where you can’t see more than a few metres in front of your face. Bright white snow can play havoc with your camera’s built-in metering system too, exposing the background correctly but causing the subject you are filming (ie. the skier/snowboarder) to appear underexposed.
Nor is it just the light that can affect filming winter sports. Weather conditions play a big part too
Before you start shooting, it’s a good idea to use your camera’s manual controls to adjust the exposure between +1 stop and +3 stops. Also because there is an increased amount of UV light in winter weather conditions, images and video can have a slightly blue tinge, so we’d advise putting a UV filter on the lens to ensure they are a little more neutral in tone.
Nor is it just the light that can affect filming winter sports. Weather conditions play a big part too. Batteries, which are always a bugbear of any videographer, can – just like a car battery – die much more quickly in cold weather. A good idea is to put them inside a hand-warmer or failing that a warm inside jacket pocket and make sure you take plenty with you.
Prepare for the conditions
Camera gear should also be placed inside large, sealable plastic bags on winter shoots to prevent moisture forming inside your camera’s lenses when you move from a cold environment back into the warmth. It also goes without saying you should wrap yourself up warm (yes Mum) and make sure you have some snacks and hot drinks in a flask with you in case conditions worsen!
Are you shooting another person, perhaps someone performing tricks or jumps on the snow? Or do you just want to film yourself using an action camera, such as GoPro? Whatever, it’s important you considering exactly what equipment you will need. For example, if shooting someone else from a distance then a decent telephoto lens is important if shooting stills to put the camera in shutter priority mode (marked as Tv on Canon DSLRs) and select a fast shutter speed such as 1/1000 sec to freeze the action.
It’s also a good idea, if possible, to use a second angle, perhaps a wide angle lens right next to or even below the sportsperson in order to make the footage a little more exciting to view.
Finally, if you are filming with an action cam you need to consider how it can be mounted securely, perhaps on top of a helmet, across your chest or on your shoulder. There’s nothing worse than going out for a whole day’s filming only to find that half the footage is unusable or, worse still, you’ve damaged the gear because it hasn’t been strapped on properly!
5 accessories to help improve your video footage
1. Feiyu 3-Axis handheld gimbalFor professional, shake-free videoTODAY'S BEST DEALS$89.99View at Manfrotto$229.99View at Amazon$255.13View at WalmartSee all prices (7 found)Reasons to buy+Splashproof+8 hours running timeReasons to avoid-Limited compatibility-Motor is a little noisy
1. Feiyu 3-Axis handheld gimbal
For professional, shake-free video
$89.99View at Manfrotto
See all prices (7 found)
Reasons to buy
+Splashproof+8 hours running time
+Splashproof
+8 hours running time
Reasons to avoid
-Limited compatibility-Motor is a little noisy
-Limited compatibility
-Motor is a little noisy
When you’re shooting fast moving action like winter sports it’s a good idea to invest in a stabiliser, or gimbal, to make images appear less shaky. Made from an aluminium alloy, this lightweight model from Feiyu is designed specifically for GoPro devices as well as similar action cams, such as the Kodak PixPro. The motorised arm is easy to grip thanks to a rubberised sleeve and features a four-way joystick for controlling camera movement in various directions and a self timer button for selfies.
2. Manfrotto Lumimuse Series 8 LED lightA slim light to brighten video footageTODAY'S BEST DEALSPrime$79.88View at AmazonPrime$79.88View at Amazon$88.46View at WalmartSee all prices (4 found)Reasons to buy+Compact design+Snap-fit filtersReasons to avoid-Easily switched on inadvertently -Expensive compared to rivals
2. Manfrotto Lumimuse Series 8 LED light
A slim light to brighten video footage
$79.88View at Amazon
See all prices (4 found)
Reasons to buy
+Compact design+Snap-fit filters
+Compact design
+Snap-fit filters
Reasons to avoid
-Easily switched on inadvertently -Expensive compared to rivals
-Easily switched on inadvertently
-Expensive compared to rivals
When shooting in winter there may be times when you need more light to brighten up your video. Using Manfrotto's super-bright surface-mount LED technology, it means it can use fewer, bigger and brighter LEDs than other models. It also comes complete with two snap-on filters to adjust the warmth of the light and a diffuser, while it can either be mounted on top of a camera or alternatively onto a light pole or tripod using the adaptor provided.
3. GoPro Chest Mount HarnessGet a completely immersive experienceTODAY'S BEST DEALS$34.95View at Amazon$39.99View at Best Buy$40View at REI.comSee all prices (6 found)28 Amazon customer reviews☆☆☆☆☆Reasons to buy+Fully adjustable+Immersive experienceReasons to avoid-Need to turn whole body-Can pick-up unwanted wind noise
3. GoPro Chest Mount Harness
Get a completely immersive experience
$34.95View at Amazon
See all prices (6 found)
Reasons to buy
+Fully adjustable+Immersive experience
+Fully adjustable
+Immersive experience
Reasons to avoid
-Need to turn whole body-Can pick-up unwanted wind noise
-Need to turn whole body
-Can pick-up unwanted wind noise
If you're going to be skiing, GoPro's chest mount is a great piece of kit to capture the action. Fully adjustable to fit a wide range of adult sizes, the placement's great for getting some unique angled shots, though you will have to move your whole body to change the framing.
4. GoPro Shorty A mini extension pole and tripod in oneTODAY'S BEST DEALSPrime$37.40View at Amazon$39.99View at Best Buy$50.49View at WalmartSee all prices (7 found)4 Amazon customer reviews☆☆☆☆☆Reasons to buy+Very compact+Decent working heightReasons to avoid-Some flex when extended-Limited range of positions
4. GoPro Shorty
A mini extension pole and tripod in one
$37.40View at Amazon
See all prices (7 found)
Reasons to buy
+Very compact+Decent working height
+Very compact
+Decent working height
Reasons to avoid
-Some flex when extended-Limited range of positions
-Some flex when extended
-Limited range of positions
There's some great mini tripods out there like Manfrotto's PIXI Xtreme, but don't overlook the Shorty from GoPro as it also doubles as a mini extension pole. This means it can be really useful for hand-holding, whether you're shooting someone else or yourself. Then it can be collapsed down and used as a tripod. It doesn't have quite the same range of angles as some rivals and lacks a ball head, but it's a very compact piece of kit.
5. Manfrotto Off Road Stunt backpackMedium-sized nylon bag with an unconventional designTODAY'S BEST DEALSPrime$359.99View at Amazon$429.99View at Amazon2 Amazon customer reviews☆☆☆☆☆Reasons to buy+Decent capacitiy+Adjustable GoPro mountReasons to avoid-Slow access to kit-Top-heavy when fully loaded
5. Manfrotto Off Road Stunt backpack
Medium-sized nylon bag with an unconventional design
$359.99View at Amazon
Reasons to buy
+Decent capacitiy+Adjustable GoPro mount
+Decent capacitiy
+Adjustable GoPro mount
Reasons to avoid
-Slow access to kit-Top-heavy when fully loaded
-Slow access to kit
-Top-heavy when fully loaded
To keep all your kit safe, you'll want to pack it away in a bag and this one from Manfrotto is a great place to start. The rather unconventional design means the internal compartments are actually removable pouches - one can accommodate up to three action cameras, while there's space for a stills camera as well. A nice touch is the inclusion of a GoPro mount on one of the straps.
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Round up of today's best deals
FeiyuTech Vimble 2A 3-Axis...Feiyu 3-Axis Handheld GimbalManfrotto$89.99ViewSee all prices
LUMIMUSE 8 LED Light and...Manfrotto Lumimuse 8 LED lightAmazon$79.88ViewSee all prices
Reduced PriceGoPro Performance Chest Mount...GoPro Chest Mount HarnessAmazon$39$34.95ViewSee all prices
GoPro Shorty Mini Extension...GoPro ShortyAmazon$37.40ViewSee all prices
Manfrotto Camera Backpack,...Manfrotto Off road Stunt backpackAmazon$359.99ViewSee all prices
