Here are a few questions I commonly get asked about my snowflake photography. If you have a question that isn’t here, please e-mail me at don@komarechka.com and I’ll do my best to answer!

How do you take these images?
I  give a lot of my secrets away in the Winter 2012 issue of Outdoor Photography Canada. Pick up a copy and read all about it! Basically, I use specialized macro equipment and focus-stacking techniques to complete the photographs. The process is unlike most other photographers who shoot snowflakes, and allows me to play with prismatic colour and surface reflections to a much greater degree.

Interviews and Resources
Here is a list of talks, interviews and tutorials describing my process for creating these images:

What kind of camera do you use?
I’m not a fan of this question, as it assumes the camera does all the work! The answer is the same pen that Shakespeare used to write his plays. That said, here’s my “gear list”:

Canon EOS-1D X Digital SLR Camera (Body Only)The latest and greatest camera from Canon, and my current workhorse. The very best auto-focus, the best high ISO performance and a faster framerate than I could ever need.
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Canon LP-E4N Battery PackI always highly recommend extra batteries – long shoots in the field or simple forgetfulness, extra power has saved me on many occasions. The 1D-series cameras also have two slots in their power charger!
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Canon Macro Photo MP-E 65mm f/2.8 1-5x LensMost macro lenses can’t get as close as I need to for my work, and this lens gets 5 times closer. Very difficult to use, and near impossible without flash… but worth all the trouble!
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Canon MR-14EX TTL Macro Ring Lite FlashThe majority of my macro work is photographed using this flash unit. It clips to the front of the lens and it’s incredibly easy to use. Most of my snowflake photographs are made using this flash.
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Canon CP-E4 Compact Battery PackThe framerate I use to photograph snowflakes is often too much for the flash to keep up with. This unit gives extra power to the flash – it lasts longer, recharges faster, and work with both my flashes.
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SanDisk 128GB CompactFlash Extreme Pro UDMA 7I’m a strong believer that my memory cards are safer in my camera than out of it – go for the bigger cards. I trust the Sandisk cards and have never had one fail on me, and the 128GB version is a little faster.

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Pictured to the right is the complete setup I most commonly use (it’s since been upgraded with the items listed above).

Taking the images is only half the battle – the time-consuming and frustrating part is putting the image together! Check out some of the resources listed above to get the whole idea.

What are the snowflakes photographed on?
Would you believe a home-made black mitten? It’s true! Every snowflake is photographed on the same mitten (received a few years ago from my grandma – thanks Grandma!). This is so I can have a dark background, and because the snowflakes get caught in the fibers and bring the background out of focus. It also serves as an insulator, preventing the snowflake from melting on contact. I’ve searched everywhere for a better surface, and I keep coming back to the black mitten.

Where are the images taken?
About three feet from my back door in Barrie, Ontario, Canada.

Tell me more about snowflakes!
Sure thing! I’ve got a book in the funding stage on indiegogo – you can help get the book published! $35 contributions or more will receive a copy of the book when it’s released later this year if the funding goal is successful. Take a look! Your help would be greatly appreciated.