Photographing training excercises, and climbing a mountain

[LouiseTopp]

I am with a group called Serve On since Last January, if you want to know what we do, please check out the link.
https://www.serveon.org.uk/

I take photos of their training excercise's and have just began training myself. In June I hope to go to Snowdonia and up the mountain photographing the training exercise. What I want to know is several things like:

• What's the best way of protecting the camera from the elements? I've heard the weather can change in minutes.
• What are the best settings, eg: iso, speed, white balance?
• Do I take the battery out at night when not in use?
• Where is the best place to get a genuine Nikon battery?
• Is 18-105 lens good to use up a mountain?

Having never climbed a mountain. or EVEN been to Wales before, I'm not sure what to expect. I'm a bit worried I've bitten off more then I can chew, I'm not a pro so I hope they don't expect too much of me.

 

[sirch]

What camera have you got? Will the exercise move around, can you just head up to the casuality (assuming it's that sort of excersise) or do you need to follow the team? How long will you be out for? Do you have spare batteries?

Regarding the weather, most cameras will stand a few drops of rain and even though the weather can change in minutes you can often see it coming if you look around. If it is cold and wet lens misting can be an issue so I find a couple of the gel hand-warmers in the camera bag helps.

 

[flyingmonkeycorp]

Protection - depends on your camera, higher end DSLRs tend to be pretty well sealed. I tend to go with a good case that's at least showerproof and try to stop the camera getting too wet.

ISO - as low as you can. Speed - fast enough to freeze the people you're shooting. White balance - auto, then correct in post if needed (best to shoot in raw).

I've never taken the battery out at night, what you will need to bear in mind though is that the cold can affect the battery performance - definitely take spares.

No idea where to get spares, I'd guess Wex, Park or a local shop to you.

18 - 105 is a pretty good range, though it'll depend exactly what shots you want.

You're right about the weather being likely to change at a moment's notice - have a good think about your kit too, make sure you have decent boots and waterproofs ideally. What is the excercise going to be?

 

[mickledore]

I take photos of their training excercise's and have just began training myself. In June I hope to go to Snowdonia and up the mountain photographing the training exercise.

So what is happening on the mountain? Are they going up it to the top? Walking, running or mountain biking? Or are they building a camp part way up? Or both? I'll assume they will be running/jogging/walking to the top.
Once they set off they will be moving faster than you are likely to. I'm assuming they will be using the grockles route, but even so if you've never done anything like that then they are going to outpace you. So you get some nice promo photos by the gate at the bottom then they are soon out of sight.
Your only real option is to go back to Llanberis and catch the train. Costs an arm and a leg!
http://www.snowdonrailway.co.uk/
£29 return once they open up again in mid March.
You could - if the timetables and their progress coincide - get off at a couple of intermediate stops for "action" photos but that will be hard to co-ordinate. More likely is that you get to the top in front of them and photo them arriving.
Then you get down. Either on the train as part of your £29 or if you've only bought one way (£20) you have to walk down, and it's a lot further than it seems. On a nice day it's a great place to be. If the clag comes in and the wind blows it's pretty damned miserable.
You should always have a spare battery with you!
No need to remove it up there.
You should have some form of waterproof cover. A poly bag will do or these are quite good, and cheap...
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Op-Tech-Rainsleeve-Twin-Pack/dp/B000PTFDYO
If the weather is too carp then just sit inside the cafe (Yes, there is one!) at the top and snap away from there.

If they are using anything other than the grockles route then I would not advise a mountain novice like yourself to go too far from the road. Snowdon can be an unforgiving mountain.
And remember; just because the sun is shining by the car park that doesn't mean it will be nice on top. The height alone reduces the temperature by several degrees before the wind chill factor comes in, so take plenty of good clothing if you intend to go high and stand around. And don't wear jeans.

 

[itsdavedotnet]

I am with a group called Serve On since Last January, if you want to know what we do, please check out the link.
https://www.serveon.org.uk/

I take photos of their training excercise's and have just began training myself. In June I hope to go to Snowdonia and up the mountain photographing the training exercise. What I want to know is several things like:

• What's the best way of protecting the camera from the elements? I've heard the weather can change in minutes. Take some plastic bags, minimise time it's out of your rucksack if it's raining. Those optech rainsleeves are neat but a bit of a faff.
• What are the best settings, eg: iso, speed, white balance? Auto whitebalance. ISO 400, aperture priority mode
• Do I take the battery out at night when not in use? No
• Where is the best place to get a genuine Nikon battery? 'DSTE' brand on ebay or amazon aren't official but work great and are far cheaper.
• Is 18-105 lens good to use up a mountain? Yes, though it is not that good in low light.

Having never climbed a mountain. or EVEN been to Wales before, I'm not sure what to expect. I'm a bit worried I've bitten off more then I can chew, I'm not a pro so I hope they don't expect too much of me.

As long as you're reasonably active, and have proper walking boots, snowdon in June, with a team of more experienced people, on the main tracks, you shouldn't face any major problems, it's a busy mountain with well-beaten paths.

 

[rjbell]

Get a wideangle compact and stick it in your pocket when it rains.

 

[LouiseTopp]

Thanks for your replies.

What camera have you got

Nikon D5300

Will the exercise move around

Most likely boat practice etc, is one, someone is volunteering to be buried and dug out again apparently, people pretending to be casualties etc.

can you just head up to the casuality (assuming it's that sort of excersise) or do you need to follow the team?

Depends what I'm asked to do.

How long will you be out for?

One excercise on one day at a weekend is that I have to go Friday night and phot them packing the gear into the vans, Saturday will be a killer as I'm being picked up by mini bus 5.30am (god help me if it's cold and rainy). Going home Saturday night, the rest of the team are staying. I'm not because i have a disability, and the camp beds are unsuitable for me.

Do you have spare batteries?

Only the one at present.

What is the excercise going to be?

Disaster

So what is happening on the mountain? Are they going up it to the top?

Knowing are team YES. (Out with the breathing apparatus)

Walking, running or mountain biking?

Walking I hope, any faster I'd be a casualty. Also have a group of children with us.

are they building a camp part way up?

Not sure if they will put a base tent up. Thanks for the useful link

If the clag comes in and the wind blows it's pretty damned miserable

That's what I'm worried about

Snowdon can be an unforgiving mountain

Oh dear....

And don't wear jeans

Yes, Someone mentioned that.

 

[Byker28i]

On the other hand it can be stunning.

Weather proofing, Camera in a zip lock bag or just with a plastic bag over it. Take a reasonable size microfibre cloth/towel, useful in so many ways and light. Good for drying off if required.
What are the best settings - only you will know when there - it depends on the conditions.
Spare battery is always handy, shouldn't need to take it out.
18-105 sounds a good range.

I'd travel light, don't go lugging lots around. Depending on the weather take suitable clothing, especially remember it gets a lot colder as you go up. I have some cheap over trousers and over jacket that packs down very small. Good for keeping the wind and rain off, but light, but I'd sure your team will advise.


Enjoy - we'll be heading back again this year

 

[LouiseTopp]

Thanks, will let you know what happens