Rain mixed with snow mixed with fog is not what we consider "ideal shooting conditions." Lenses fog up and our cameras get wet. That said, it's a good thing most photographers could shoot today's assignment with their eyes closed: Children sledding. I spent some time today near the golf course at Whitnall Park, Hales Corners. I love seeing how the atmosphere of the park changes within just a few short months. I shot the second photo below from nearly the exact same location no more than a month and a half ago.

As the weather changes, a problem photographers sometime encounter is foggy lenses. The key to avoiding fogged lenses is to make sure the camera is kept at about the same temperature as the outside air. Obviously, this isn't always possible. Taking a warm camera into a cold environment can cause fogging inside the lens. The opposite problem was often true when I was shooting down in Florida — If I had to take a cold (air-conditioned) camera into a warm, humid environment, my camera sometimes needed a few minutes to adjust to the outside air temperature and humidity levels before I was able to start shooting. Fog on the camera lens prevents you first from seeing your subject, and second, from focusing correctly. A small price to pay, though, for the chance to witness all four seasons.