Ask any amateur photographer in the world what one of their worst nightmares is and there’s no doubt that the weather falls into this category. Rain is a particular problem, and that vibrant scene that was shot in the sunshine can absolutely crumble if a few drops of water enter the picture.
It means that when you do get to the online photo printing stage the results can be somewhat disappointing. This is the reason today’s guide has been put together and we will now take a look at some of the best tips to shoot good photographs when the rain is pouring down.
Duck for cover!
Let’s not try and dress this situation up; rain is never going to end well for photographers. The problem relates to the equipment getting wet, and this then being visible on the photos themselves.
Bearing this in mind, the easiest way to mitigate the risks is to simply find cover at any opportunity. This can be as inventive as you desire. For example, if there is a porch or awning this is nigh-on perfect for your circumstances, but you really can get even more creative. For example, some of you might decide to shoot from a car – just to keep everything dry. Sure, it might mean that you struggle to maneuver into position somewhat, but overall the result is much better as everything is being kept rain-free.
Take advantage of the reflections
While the rain does make things harder, there are ways in which you can take advantage of it. Reflections are one such way and everything that has been left wet in the path of the way is going to glisten under the camera. It’s going to look much more vibrant and as we all know, vibrancy aids fantastic photos.
You’ll notice that mundane subjects, such as the front of a store, really come to life. All the tiny details will glisten and this is something that no other scene is able to provide.
Make use of the flash
As we all know, there’s a time and a place to tap into the flash function on your camera. Most people assume that a rainy day doesn’t fall into this category, but we are going to disagree.
Sure, you don’t want a full flash, as this is going to set your raindrops alight and pretty much ruin your photo. Instead, we’re going to suggest you opt for moderation. This means that you should look to turn it down a few stops (maybe 3.0), which will just add a hint of vibrancy (have you noticed this magic word?) in the rain that’s falling.
Unfortunately, this really is one of those techniques where you might have to experiment. It all depends on how much rain is falling, and what scene you are shooting in. You need to work out how much flash is going to work but if you can perfect it, you’ll be amazed at the overall difference it makes to all of your rain snaps.
