When most people hear the weather forecast calls for rain, they want stay inside. The last thing those people would do is take a camera out into the rain and go take some pictures. Those people are called “Fair weather photographers.” The type of photographer that only comes out when the sky is blue and the sun is shining bright. It’s funny, because pictures taken in those conditions look the worst and are boring and uninspired. The pictures that are taken during the middle of a thunderstorm, or just after a large rain storm passed through are the ones that capture something unique that catches the viewers attention and stands above the rest of those snap shots.
I live in the Pacific Northwest, and around here it rains for 9 months of the year. That is not an exaggeration. So much rain, that if I stayed inside instead of going out and taking pictures, I would not be taking pictures for most of the year. I am not a Fair-Weather Photographer, a little rain does not slow me down, as long as you take some precautions to protect your dear, you can get some amazing pictures when it is raining.
When the Sun is out, so are the people. Go to any National Park on a warm summer day, and you will be stuck in traffic nearly everywhere you go. But when the rain starts to fall, the people hunker down and stay home. Perfect to get to those popular locations and not be stuck in the crowd.
Rain photographs can be some of the most atmospheric and moving pictures out there. wet surfaces are a lot more saturated and vibrant than a dry surface would look. Most people stay inside when it rains, but next time there is a downpour grab your camera and head out to see what you can create. Just going out to take pictures in the rain will separate you from all those Fair weather photographers.
Living in such a rainy state also has its benefits; Oregon is incredibly green and lush. Giant waterfalls cascade over granite and basalt canyon walls all over the state. Evergreen forests cover much of the state. Our rivers and streams are some of the cleanest in the world. All of these things help create amazing photos. On the other hand, its always raining. Some people can handle living in such a wet climate better than others. I have grown up here and I am used to it, but lots of people are not used to it.
Protect Your Gear
Camera rain cover – The most important thing you need to do is to protect your camera gear. Electronics and water do not mix so you need to take extra precaution to make sure your expensive camera if protected from the rain. Just as there are rain jackets for people, there are also rain jackets for your camera and camera bag. There are rain covers available in all price ranges, you can get a disposable plastic rain cover for just a few bucks, or you can get on that costs over $100. The disposable plastic rain covers take up no room inside your camera bag, so I like to have an extra one in the bottom of my camera bag for that rainy day, no pun intended.
I also have a non-disposable rain cover that I got from Amazon for about $15. LINK This rain cover takes up more room in my camera bag, but it is much more durable. If you do not have a rain cover and you find yourself trying to take pictures during a rainstorm, you can use a plastic bag as a rain cover, just cut a hole for the lens for poke through and you’re ready to rock. A disposable shower cap that you find in hotel rooms will also work. I wouldn’t recommending using a shower cap to be your full-time camera rain cover, but it can come in handy in a pinch.
An umbrella can also be a useful tool for taking pictures in the rain. It can be awkward to try to hold onto an umbrella and take pictures at the same time. To arms is just not enough for that, so you can either clamp the umbrella to the tripod, or you can stick the handle of the umbrella between your backpack and your back to hold it over your head. Once you are under the umbrella, you are very well protected from the raindrops.
Protect yourself
Protecting the camera is only half the equation. You must also protect yourself from the elements. Nothing is worse than being out taking pictures, and being so physically uncomfortable that you just want to leave. You will not capture any good pictures this way, and you might even just get sick. A person must take care of their basic needs before they are able to learn or create anything. These basic needs are food comfort clothing shelter bananas
Get yourself a good waterproof rain jacket with taped seams. If the seams are not taped water will seep through the seams and get you all wet underneath your rain jacket. One of my old rain jackets did this and I immediately threw it out and got myself a waterproof Columbia rain coat.
Depending on how hard it is raining, or how windy it is. You might also want to get yourself a good pair of waterproof rain pants. The pants are made out of polyurethane and a water cannot penetrate it and he went inside.
Rubber boots will enable you to walk through shallow streams and puddles with confidence, but if you’re going any place cold, consider getting an insulated pair of rain boots. Bog rain boots are some of my favorite. They are warm, waterproof, and comfortable.
Mood
Photographs shot in the rain have a completely different look and feel than if it was shot on a clear day. The lighting is more even and diffused. The colors are deeper and pop when its wet out. The wet streets and puddles reflect lights and colors. The clouds are dark and dramatic. The overall feel of the photo becomes much more moody.
Camera Settings
when those dark gloomy rain clouds rolling in, it can get a lot darker out then if the bright sun was out.
- Shoot in Shutter Priority – 1/60th of a second is a good starting point. This speeds allows you to capture the raindrops with a slight blur so you could see that the rain is falling. Shooting any faster will freeze the raindrop and you won’t have that falling raindrop feel/look.
- If you use too slow of a shutter speed, the raindrops will disappear altogether. The splashing water drops will also give the ground a cloudy look.
- The lighting is usually dimmer when the dark rain clouds roll in so don’t hesitate to bump up that ISO.
Rain can be A tricky subject to take pictures of. When the rain is lit from the frot, it can be difficult to see the raindrops especially against a white background.
Use back lighting or side lighting to make the rain drops glow and A dark background will help the raindrops appear even better.
When I photograph in the rain, the first thing I do if I walk around and look for a good background. Next I will try to find someplace where I can get out of the rain if at all possible. If there is not a awning or covered area for me to set up my camera, I will break out the rain cover and maybe even an umbrella to keep the rain off of my expensive camera equipment.
Next I will set up my camera and wait for that perfect subject to come walking through my frame. You never know what is going to come into the frame, but sometimes the planets align and you get an amazing shot. A little Old lady might come walking by carrying a grocery bag, or somebody on a bike might ride through. You will need to be patient because that is what it takes for you to be there when that amazing shot happens. If you’re impatient, chances are you will just get a mediocre snapshot and not that one amazing picture.
A lens hood will help keep the raindrops off of the front element of your lens. The large front elements seem to attract raindrops immediately once you take the lens cap off
Tips
- Be on the lookout for reflections on wet surfaces and in water puddles.
- Use sidelight or back lighting to make the raindrops pop.
- Use a lens hood, they will help keep those rain drops off your lens. Those little water droplets can ruin a great image.
- Have plenty of microfiber cloths with you to wipe off the lens.
- Use a polarizer to reduce the glare on wet surfaces and make the colors pop.
- Keep extra camera batteries close to your body, it can get cold when its raining and this will drain your camera battery.
- Immediately dry the camera once you get out of the rain. Don’t let the water sit in the camera for too long. Water is amazingly good at seeping into those places you don’t want it to seep.
- Pay extra attention to make sure your camera is focusing on intended subject and not the water drops. The camera may want to focus on the falling raindrops instead of what you’re really trying to focus on
Now that you have a game plan of how to protect your camera and yourself during the next downpour get out there and take some amazing pictures in the foul weather. Once you get out there you’ll realize there’s a whole new world of photos waiting for you to find.