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Skiing in flat light |
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Seer999
Optics GrassHopper Joined: December/31/2018 Location: Utah Status: Offline Points: 2 |
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Posted: December/31/2018 at 18:04 |
In skiing (and no doubt other outdoor activities) sometimes you experience flat light. In flat light, you cannot make out features in the snow--in fact, sometimes you cannot see the actual surface.
But when you go near trees, then you CAN make out features--tracks etc. Does anyone know FOR SURE why this is? What are the optics of this situation?
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Scrumbag
Optics Master Extraordinaire Joined: October/22/2013 Location: London, UK Status: Offline Points: 4205 |
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I always found changing goggles / sunglasses for less tint helped. And more yellowy rather than brown shades but that could just be personal preference
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Was sure I had a point when I started this post...
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Peddler
Optics God Joined: July/04/2012 Location: Oswego,NY Status: Offline Points: 13526 |
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Wear amber at night in a rain storm or in a snow storm Amazing difference. |
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When you are dead, you don't know you are dead.It is difficult only for others.
It is the same when you are stupid. |
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koshkin
MODERATOR Dark Lord of Optics Joined: June/15/2004 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 13181 |
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This is mostly a perception issue. In flat light conditions, your brain does not get enough visual cues to perceive depth so everything gets weird. Basically, there is not enough contrast in the scene you are looking at.
Amber and similar goggle help. ILya
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Son of Ed
Chuck Norris Joined: June/18/2011 Location: TEXAS Status: Offline Points: 122166 |
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...my brain does not get enough clues....
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Visit the Ed Show
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Dogger
Optics Jedi Master Joined: January/02/2007 Location: Ontario, Canada Status: Offline Points: 8904 |
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10-4 Ed.......
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God save the Empire!
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RifleDude
MODERATOR EVIL OPPRESSOR Joined: October/13/2006 Location: Texas Status: Offline Points: 16337 |
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Snow skiing is one activity I’ve never done but always wanted to do.
I have experienced exteme flat light conditions several times while hunting in heavy snow in the mountains and also in very sandy desert areas during mid-day sunlight. I’ve always found that simply wearing a good pair of polarized sunglasses works well enough to gain enough contrast to be able to discern my surroundings, but perhaps snow skiing presents extra demands I’ve never experienced before. |
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Ted
Money can't buy happiness... but it's much more comfortable to cry in a Porsche than on a bicycle. |
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koshkin
MODERATOR Dark Lord of Optics Joined: June/15/2004 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 13181 |
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Flat light when moving quickly confuses the brain a little more, but it is the same phenomenon.
ILya |
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mike650
Optics God Joined: May/14/2006 Location: West of Rockies Status: Offline Points: 14569 |
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Snow skiing, depending on the light I'll change up my goggle lenses to help see the terrain. Persimmon seems to work best for me on flat/low light days. If snowing I'll switch to yellow, medium to bright days v28's, bright sunny days brown.
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“A hunt based only on trophies taken falls far short of what the ultimate goal should be.” – Fred Bear
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Peddler
Optics God Joined: July/04/2012 Location: Oswego,NY Status: Offline Points: 13526 |
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👍👍👍 |
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When you are dead, you don't know you are dead.It is difficult only for others.
It is the same when you are stupid. |
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8shots
Optics Jedi Knight Lord Of The Flies Joined: March/14/2007 Location: South Africa Status: Offline Points: 6253 |
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Last time I skied in flat light I fell flat on my ar$e
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Tip69
Optics Master Extraordinaire Tip Stick Joined: September/27/2005 Location: Nebraska Status: Offline Points: 4155 |
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one time I was skiing at A-Basin in Colorado and got caught in what I call "white out" conditions. it was snowing hard and I couldn't see my skies. That was Scary!!! |
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take em!
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SageRatSafaris
Optics GrassHopper Joined: June/21/2018 Location: Oregon Status: Offline Points: 30 |
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I'm an avid skier, I know what you mean about flat light. My take on why flat light is so troubling is that there is no contrast, no shadows, no texture. The sky is white, the snow is white, it's all just white. You can't see the bumps, rolls, moguls, or even tracks - only white. Snow texture that normally casts tiny shadows vanishes because the light is coming from all directions.
It's terrifying, like driving at night without headlights. In normal lighting, you can plan ahead three or four turns. In flat light, your focus is on the current turn and the conditions under your skis RIGHT NOW. Losing the ability to focus ahead dramatically affects your ability to ski a slope that might be easy under blue sky.
I find that yellow lenses help maximize the tiny shreds of contrast. Look for googles with high light transmission and tinting designed to enhance contrast (e.g., Smith ChromaPop or Oakely PRIZM). Do not wear polarized googles (actually fairly rare thing in ski goggles) or polarized sun glasses. |
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