Street Photography in the Snow

Today’s Post by Mildred Alpern

Whipped cream mixer high

Snowflakes spurting and spreading

In crystal ball glass

It was the first serious snowstorm in NYC this year. Most of the day, a fine snow fell and the wind howled. However, towards late afternoon the snow picked up and became heavier. It was time to leave my warm apartment and go down to street level for some photographs.

I set a fast shutter speed to catch the swirling flakes as people hurried past, maneuvering through slush, trying to catch cabs, or huddling in fur-trimmed hoods. Time was limited owing to the finger-nipping cold and the darkening day. Plus snow-covered streets are hazardous, so why push it.

The local Upper West Side newspaper had asked for photos and I did not want to disappoint. Stationed on a street corner, I aimed and rapidly shot a series of passersby and then quit. For quick write speed of my images, I used Lexar Professional 2000x UHS SD Memory Card in the Olympus E-M5 Mark II. For color, I liked the woman snagging the snow-powdered yellow taxi, but the online newspaper selected the little tyke holding hands and pulling a red cart.

All images were shot with the Olympus E-M5 Mark II and the Olympus M. Zuiko 40-150mm f/2.8 Pro lens in Shutter Priority; the yellow taxi at 40mm with an exposure of 1/400 sec at f/2.8, ISO 2000; the hooded figures at 40mm with an exposure of 1/500 sec at f/2.8, ISO 2000; the small tyke at 40mm with an exposure of 1/400 at f/2.8, ISO 2000.

Mildred’s book Haiku and Images is available on Amazon and is filled wit h beautifully reproduced color photographs along with original haiku underneath, embellishing the image and deepening its meaning. Pick up a copy to give as gift for yourself or a friend.