Winter 2026 Photography Thoughts!

yahumpphotography
11 hours ago
5 min read

Wishing everyone a healthy, happy 2026. Bring your camera along to make new memoriesi

January is done, and we are moving along in February of 2026. Many parts of Europe, the USA and Canada are in a deep freeze. There is never a better time to work on photography projects inside.

If you are taking photos outside remember to bring extra batteries for your camera, and external flash. dress warm and wear warm gloves.

Batteries lose their power when exposed to low temperatures. You may be used to getting a few hundred shots in one charge, but in cold temperatures, the number of shots you take in one charge can drop considerably—less 50-70% than you are used to. You can easily cheat the cold by keeping your spare batteries warm. Just keep the extra batteries in your inner pocket, and close to your body heat.

One of the most important items you can have as a winter outdoor photographer is the proper gloves. Most photo stores sell special photo gloves with thin thermal fabric around the fingertips, so that you can fully control your camera. These gloves also have a special fabric on the palms for a secure grip. Visit your local camera store and give these gloves a try. They could save you from lots of hassle and frost bite.

There are many different types of photography gloves on the market. It is best to check with your local photography store and find what works best of your needs.

These are stock photos and not owned by yahumpphotograph

I always wrap my camera, external flash,and lenses in warm dry towels. Once I come insde after the photo shoot, I let the equipment warm up at room temperature and whip off any excess condensation.

As with any outdoor photo shoot these are four things to keep in mind:

How do I have to dress to be comfortable?
What time to I want to do the shoot?
What day do I want to do the shoot?
Am I looking for a certain mood to the photos?

When you are shooting a model, you must also plan around their schedule and take into consideration the model’s comfort in the elements as well as their wardrobe.

If your camera ever gets wet, bring it indoors, then wrap a dry towel around it. Let it sit for several hours. If you try to wipe the snow or water off, you may risk pushing it inside the seams where the electronic components are, which can pretty much kill your camera. Just let your camera sit in a towel for a bit and let the towel absorb all the moisture.

Many newer mid range to expensive DSLR and Mirrorless cameras are weather sealed to protect against the elements. However, not all parts of the camera are weather sealed. If you are out a lot during snow storms, invest in a good snow or rain cover. It will keep your camera and lenses dry during the photo shoots, minimizing the chance of liquid residue getting close to the electronic brains of your camera. They are a great investment and costs a fraction of a camera repair price. Check with your local photography store to find what works best for your needs.

Shooting something in freezing temperatures is a challenge. When you are ready to warm up in any nearby indoor spot, be mindful of your camera. If you simply rush indoors with your camera, your lens will fog up immediately with all the built-up moisture. This will result in painful minutes of you waiting for the lens to defog (and possibly missing out on getting a great shot). To avoid this, place your camera in a photo bag with lens cover before you enter into any warm place.

These are stock photos and not owned by yahumpphotograph

AI Created image:

In 2026, the debate rages on about AI images and AI enhanced images. I learnt photography and film developing in a different era. My personal philosophy has been not to enhance my film or digital images in any way.

For the purpose of this article, I had Microsoft Copilot help me create an image. Does it look fake. is it cheating. I have no idea! AI created the image, yet it was my instructions. Who owns this image?

I guess this is the question we will have to figure out as AI programs get more sophisticated and continue to be part of our work world.

I found this great articlea about AI in Photoghreay by Jennifer Cooke

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V7Ll600FC4U

This question has become more important as we are going to be celebrating the Bicentennial of Photography freom September 2026 to September 2027.

The 200th anniversary of photography marks two centuries since Joseph Nicéphore Niépce captured the first permanent image, View from the Window at Le Gras, with major, year-long celebrations in France and internationally running from September 2026 to September 2027. While some recognized 1824 as an earlier experimental milestone, the primary bicentennial honors the 1826–1827 breakthrough that revolutionized visual culture.

Key Aspects of the Bicentennial:

Significance: The celebration commemorates the creation of the world's oldest surviving photograph by Niépce in Saint-Loup-de-Varennes, France.
Celebration Schedule: France is hosting a major, year-long program from September 2026 to September 2027, featuring exhibitions, conferences, and cultural projects to honor this heritage.
Key Partners: The Nicéphore Niépce House and Spéos are leading the commemorations, with extensive involvement from French cultural institutions.
International Recognition: The Nordic Photography Network (NPN) is also launching "Photography 200," a year-long campaign in 2026 to highlight the medium's impact.

While 1839 (the announcement of the daguerreotype) is sometimes cited as the invention's public debut, 2026–2027 is widely accepted for celebrating the 200th anniversary of the first permanent, lasting image.

To get more information on the history of Photography

Click Here

The Photos below have not been enhanced with photo editing software or AI