With winter storms Juno and Linus taking place in the last couple of weeks, this should have been about photography in the snow! But rain was already my topic and staying safe in these bad snow storms is more of a priority.
Shooting in rain can present some challenges, but the texture and interest rain can create in your photos are well worth the hassle. Unique colors, patterns and lighting created by rain and its effects can help you explore your creativity and push your personal boundaries. When you begin thinking beyond the extra trouble caused by rain, you’ll see great shots where none existed before.
Shoot reflections
You can get interesting shots by thinking in terms of how rain changes surfaces, primarily by making them reflective and colorful. Different surfaces — wood, concrete, glass and others — will react differently to rain and any available lighting.
A great time to shoot is just after a rainfall, when surfaces are wet and reflecting light in interesting ways. Reflections add depth to your images as light bounces in different directions.
Shoot patterns
Interesting and unique patterns emerge during and after rain. Look around carefully, and you’ll notice patterns you haven’t seen before, creating great abstract and architectural shots. Check for raindrops on leaves and condensation on outdoor objects with interesting shapes, such as railings.
Shoot for the clouds
On rainy or stormy days they are in motion and have random layers of gray and white. If the storm is breaking, you’ll get some moments where the sun tries to peek through and maybe creates sunbeams or even a rainbow. Or if it’s a heavy storm, you may run into lightning, another natural phenomenon that’s tough to time right, but sometimes you can get some winners by a combo of lots of photos and perfect timing.
Get creative with lighting
Rain and lighting can work well together to create unique images. Consider a backlight to the rain, which makes the falling drops easier to see. Locate a light source, and shoot toward it with rain falling in the foreground.
Most photographers know that flash and rain don’t typically mix well, but use of flash at a very low setting can give just the right highlight to the falling rain. Using a tripod is often a good idea when shooting rain, since natural light is typically dimmer than normal and you may be using a slower shutter speed.
Always remember to protect your gear
As you’re trying to capture the perfect rain shot, be sure to keep your gear safe and dry. You can cover your camera with a plastic trash bag with a small hole for the lens, or use an umbrella — and you can use dark or light varieties to influence the lighting in your image. Make sure you have a soft cloth with you at all times for wiping any moisture off your gear.
Your camera gear is expensive and delicate, and rain can be a liability. But by taking a few simple precautions, you can explore the one-of-a-kind patterns and textures rain creates.
All photos from 123rf.com