Rainy Day Photography

So you live on planet earth and certain times of the year you will find some rain.  Many people don't venture out into the rain to attempt to take photos.  When in reality you can capture some pretty cool photos in the rain.  Sure you need to protect your gear.    If you are going out, break out the boots, foul weather gear and umbrella...  Oh, that umbrella should be part of your camera bag on most days.  A light colored umbrella can pay off greatly in difficult lighting.  It can act as a diffuser for the sun.  It can aid in bouncing the sun up onto your subject to really even out those harsh shadows.  Now let's get down to the how to section of capturing some of those great images


Step 1.  Keep the Camera Dry


We are dealing with electronic equipment here people, and contrary to popluar belief it doesn’t mix well with water. There are many solutions that I’ll suggest so just use your best judgment depending on your personal situation.

1- Don’t go in the rain.  What I mean by this is to stay under cover under a shelter. If it’s just drizzling, a tree can do the trick. I’ve seen people shooting from their car or even out their window
2- Purchase a pro rain cover. B&H has a great variety ranging from $39.95 to $219.95 like the Tenba or the Aquatech or the Storm Jacket or others from FotoSharp
3- Make your own DIY camera rain cover by using a ziplock or garbage bag and elastic bands for just a few pennies. Try making 2 holes on either side of the ziplock bag and pass the camera strap through it and reattach it to the camera.
4- Buy cheap rain pants and use one leg and elastic bands.
5- Attach an umbrella to your monopod using a superclamp so that where ever your camera goes, the umbrella follows.


Step 2.   Changing Lenses


Of course this doesn't apply to many of you with those new amazing point and shoot cameras that can do everything except bake you a cake.  But for those of you that do own a DSLR here are some tips. 


 If you need to change your lenses out in the rain, you absolutely need to keep the inside of your camera, and the lens element attaching to the camera, dry. My first suggestion would be to get out of the rain completely. If you can’t, cover your camera and lens as best you can and point the camera towards the ground while switching lenses


Step 3 Use your lens hood


Again, earmuffs for you point and shoot people.  The lens hood has many uses. It not only used for lens flair. I have it on primarily to protect it from bumps and nicks. But it’s also good for keeping rain drop away from your lens. I my opinion, your should have your len hood on all the time, but if you don’t this is a great time to put it on.


Step 4  Something to dry your equipment


Even if you used the 5 previous steps mentioned above, you might still end up getting some water on your gear so it’s very important to have an absorbent cloth in your bag.  I recommend a large microfiber cloth but a dish towel or folded up paper towel will work fine as well.

Step 5 Bring a Monopod or Tripod


Rainy days means clouds which means no sun, which means less light. Less light means you’ll probably have to shoot at slower shutter speeds.  A tripod or monopod will prevent you from taking blury images due to camera shake.


Now you have been armed with some good weaponry to take on our first weekly assignment...  RAINY DAY PHOTOS... Anything that has rain in it, on it, or basically the presence of rain.  Take a look at this website for some inspiration photos.. SmashingPumpkins.com