Snow Day? S’No Problem
The Graduate School of Education’s bright red exterior panels stand out even more in the snow.
Photographing outdoors in winter can be physically unforgiving and logistically challenging, but the risk is worth the result. Ahead of last month’s snowstorm, the University of Pennsylvania’s Graduate School of Education asked me to photograph their snow-dusted building for winter-themed promotional materials.
Forecasts in the days before the session varied wildly, with snowfall estimates anywhere from 10 to 30 inches. Ultimately, the SEPTA El was the safest, most efficient option, and I took a brief video documenting my snowy journey downtown.
Before the plows and footprints break it up, the sheer expanse of fresh snow evokes the feeling of a blank canvas. Colors in the foreground become more prominent, even from far away or up above.
“You’ve got a little something on your chin”: Gargoyles at Penn’s Fisher Fine Arts Library seem to grow icicle beards in the cold.
A lion stands guard over the snow-dusted roof of the University Museum.
No part of the Penn campus can escape the snow—not even this statue of former provost William Pepper.
Just as Greg and I adapt to on-site restrictions and quickly changing natural light, we take additional precautions for unforgiving winter conditions. Insulated boots and extra layers make the winds in downtown Philadelphia more bearable, and our gloves have to be thick enough to withstand the exposure—but not so bulky that managing our equipment becomes difficult.
Above a farm in Readington Township, NJ, stages of the Christmas tree growing process are clearly visible in the snow.
All that said, Greg will attest that no amount of outerwear can stop the winds that enter an open-door helicopter moving at 100 mph. These days, it’s a good thing our drones can endure those higher-altitude gusts for us!
Snow drifts near Trenton, NJ, create an abstract painting in black and white.
Ice on the Delaware River forms dramatic jagged shapes as a flock of white birds passes by.