Most of the people love to sit inside and stay warm during the rain with a cup of tea, or a coffee. Only the adventurous and imaginary photographers like to come out and have their gear focused on the rain, to make beautiful pictures. Of course, there are various problems when photographing the rain, but you get an opportunity to photograph diverse lighting conditions and reflections. Further, the blog elucidates solution to 2 problems which are ‘camera settings for the rain’ and ‘what to carry during the rain.’ Also, few ideas to photograph the rain are explained.
1. Camera Settings to Photograph During the Rain
To stop a rain from the action, you have to use faster shutter speed to freeze it. So, it is better, if you use shutter speed ‘equal to or greater than’ 1/125s. You must also recognize that faster shutter speed brings less light to the lens as there is a little amount of time for the shutter to acquire a sufficient amount of light. So, how do you get the right exposure to the photograph during the rain?
For Capturing Raindrops
Set the aperture to lower level between f/1.4 to f/4. The lower aperture gives excessive light than intended. So, you have to lower the ISO sensitivity to decrease the undesirable lightings which emerged from lower aperture settings. Shutter speed must be set faster to freeze motion. Setting the right shutter speed, to capture raindrops depends on ‘how fast rain is dropping on the ground.’ Just think the rain is faster, then it is necessary to use shutter speed greater than 1/500s to freeze the action. Thus, thorough analysis, and playing with different shutter speed is required to capture a perfect raindrop. This comes from experience.
For Capturing the Rain on a Street
Shutter speed should be faster to freeze the action. It applies for both days, as well as night. While capturing street photograph during the rain, depth of field should be sharper. Aperture controls the depth of field. Irrespective of day, low-light, or night rain; recommending the aperture to be higher, to get better depth of field of the street. Higher aperture makes the lens smaller; but the problem is, lesser light entering the lens. So, how to solve the lighting problem to the dropping rain?
- Increasing ISO works, as it is more sensitive to light; but, it creates noise. Thus, it cannot give the complete solution.
- To prevent noise, use a streetlight or a Speedlight during the night. So, this gives a chance to decrease the ISO, noise in the image, and helps to achieve the right exposure for capturing rain drops on the street.
- During the day, look for the sun breaking through clouds for the lightings, to get the right exposure of the street.
2. Few Shooting Ideas
Look for Reflections
Rain creates interesting effects on the streets, which you haven’t seen before. Look for puddles, pavements, and roads that reflect the elements of the street like lamps, shops, the architecture of buildings, vehicle lights, and even a human’s silhouette. So, photographing the puddles can bring the unique and interesting subjects in the images.
Awning Photography
Take a shelter in the awning on a street would be a good idea to capture candid pictures of people. As you must know, every human has a varied range of expressions and emotions towards the rain. So, it is a good opportunity as a photographer to capture such moments of the people. For example, you can take children’s excitement towards the rain in the street, people huddle in the awning with diverse expressions
Take Photography of the Street with the Clouds
Take a picture of pedestrian walking on the street with the focus on the clouds. But, in order to take a striking picture when it is cloudy, take full advantage for the sunlight when it is breaking through the cloud. Moreover, it is good to post-process the street images to black and white as it looks striking and stunning when it is cloudy and raining. As a photo editing service provider, Fotofigo ensures images are post-processed expertly to make it look stunning.
3. What to Carry Before Capturing Rain Photographs?
Get a Raincoat for Your Camera
You get a number of raincoat sleeves for the cameras in the market. But, make sure you’re carrying it during the changing weather conditions and rainy seasons. Avoid carrying sleeves which are heavier and complex to carry. OP/Tech USA produces polyethylene sleeves for cameras which are disposable, lightweight, and also keeps your camera and lens dry while you click photographs.
Equip Yourself with Rain Clothing
Have a rain jacket which is comfortable and a track pant which keeps you dry. Also, get a water-resistant shoe, or a sports shoe which gives you comfort to shoot during the rain pours and resists you from getting soaked. Further, it’s good to wear a cap with an umbrella at the top. This sounds amusing! But, it does you a pretty good job. Otherwise, use a small or a lightweight umbrella which you can carry in one hand. But, this can be distracting while you shoot. Thus, ‘for better and beautiful photos, you must be ready for any kind of challenge.’
Use Lens Hood
Primarily, its uses are to prevent the light from hitting the front lens and prevent damages. But, during rain showers, it can be used to keep your lenses dry and safe.
Water-Resistant Photography Backpack
Have a good quality backpack that holds your complete gear. Ensure the bag has compartments to keep additional lenses, and is water-resistant to keep your gear dry and safe.
Ultimately, as a photographer, it is compulsory to be procedurally prepared, learn consequences, and gain thorough knowledge before photographing the rain. Otherwise, learners might end with blurry images, mishandling of the gear. Moreover, if you are a commercial photographer or willing to become in future for gaining good revenues, Fotofigo as a photo service provider aids you by post-processing your images to create eye-catching, and stunning images which would help your business to grow.
