Powder day footage
Also known as: pow footage, deep snow footage, powder skiing video
Ski and snowboard footage from a day of deep fresh snow, prized for face shots and spray but hard to expose and keep the lens clear.
Updated
What it means
A powder day is when fresh, deep snow covers the mountain, and for skiers and snowboarders it is the best day of the season. Powder footage captures what makes it special: riders floating through deep snow, sprays of white thrown up on every turn, and the famous face shot when snow hits the camera.
It is also some of the hardest footage to shoot well. A frame full of white snow confuses exposure and focus, flat light hides the texture of the slope, and snow on the lens can ruin a whole run. Fine snow also hides detail that exposure settings alone cannot bring back. Good powder footage is as much about preparation as about the snow itself.
How it works in practice
Use exposure compensation of plus a half or plus one stop, so snow looks white rather than gray. On sunny days, an ND filter helps keep a natural shutter speed.
A ski pole mount lets you film yourself from the side or behind, catching the spray. A chest mount is closer to the snow and gives a stronger feeling of depth.
Film from below with a friend for the classic powder turn: the rider coming toward the camera, throwing a wall of snow. Shoot at high frame rate to slow the spray.
What to watch out for
Snow on the lens is the main enemy. Carry a microfiber cloth in an inside pocket and wipe between runs. A lens cover helps between takes.
Cold drains batteries fast. Keep spares warm inside your jacket and swap them before they die in the middle of the best run.
Flat light under clouds makes powder look like a blank sheet. Ride near trees or rocks for contrast, or wait for sun breaks. Riders also disappear in deep snow, so frame them against a darker background whenever possible. Watch for avalanche risk too: off-piste filming spots should be chosen for safety first, view second.
How RawClip handles it
RawClip keeps powder turns, jumps and peak action from your ski day and cuts out lift rides, traverses and dead time. Clips from several cameras go into one highlight synced to the beat. Exposure for snow needs to be set in camera beforehand.