In the Snow

[Radical]

What is the best way to shoot wildlife in the snow?

 

[gw2424]

With a jacket. You are best off with a monopod or tripod and I would consider a "lenscoat" for your long lens. You will need a long lens for sure 300mm+. To be honest though, we need more information. Pack some snacks and extra batteries.

 

[Radical]

With the white background it seems to screw me up.

 

[gw2424]

Try to get something besides snow in your background. In this scenario composition is very important.

 

[Buckster]

Define "wildlife". Are we talking birds, deer, wolves, elk, moose, chipmunks, squirrels???

The white background seems to screw you up in what way? Photos come out too dark? Subjects look like silhouettes?

 

[KmH]

With lots of snow in the scene the camera's built-in reflected light meter is thrown off because it's calibrated to an average color quite close to a neutral gray, instead of mostly white.

The solution is to add some exposure compensation. How much compensation will be needed will vary somewhat and the only way to decide how much is to use the camera histogram.

Understanding Camera Metering and Exposure
Understanding Digital Camera Histograms: Tones and Contrast
Understanding Digital Camera Histograms: Luminosity and Color

 

[KenC]

^^^ What Keith said. If you want a starting point, try +1 stop EC and adjust from there.