12 Months on Film: December — Post Christmas Ski on the Contax T2
For the final 2025 installment of the 12 Months on Film project, I brought my Contax T2 along for our annual ski trip to Mazama. The film embraced the low, soft light of a Washington winter, rendering the snowy expanse with a soft, grainy nostalgia that perfectly matched the pace of our days.
I found myself repeatedly drawn to the way the film captured the subtle textures of the snow—from the firm, corduroy tracks on the ski trails to the heavy snow hanging on the branches of the trees.
In addition to the snowy landscapes, I wanted to capture a few of our favorite places- the Mazama Store and the Mazama Pub- one where we sip coffee and eat pastries while celebrating our morning ski and the other where we sip dark beers and play games during the long, dark hours of a winter evening.
December on film was a reminder to appreciate the beauty in the dormant, the quiet, and the still. The Contax never disappoints.
Winter Frames with the Contax T2
Here are a few things I noticed this month:
The Sharpness of the Carl Zeiss Lens: Even in a tiny pocket-sized body, the glass on the Contax T2 picks up incredible detail in cold weather. It beautifully handles fine winter textures, from frozen tree branches to the crisp lines left in the snow.
Exposing for Bright Snow: Winter landscapes can easily trick a camera's built-in meter into underexposing the frame. Leaning into the exposure compensation or metering slightly for the midtones ensures the snow stays bright and crisp rather than turning a flat, muddy gray.
The Joy of Pocket-Sized Travel: Being able to keep a premium camera tucked right inside your winter coat means you never miss a fleeting moment of mountain light, keeping the entire process fast, light, and completely spontaneous.
