How to capture visual opportunities in bad weather

[Jim Bryant]

While sitting around yesterday, looking out the sliding glass doors, watching the rainfall and wishing it would just go away, I realized that I’m a photographer and the bad weather would give me a opportunity to go outside in our backyard garden and make some good pictures. I thought of images that would evoke the mood and atmosphere, and to break away from that sunny-day look and capture a special like of “wet” beauty.

First, consider the possibilities of rain. It adds a silvery shimmer to city streets and foliage alike that turns the mundane into magic. The diffused light from an overcast sky mutes bright colors and emphasizes soft monochromes and subtle compositional effects.

Move in close to capture details and rich colors of the various plants, grasses and trees branches. Move in close to capture water drops shinning like a jewel on a leaf or flower.

When shooting in the foul water can damage photographic equipment, so when taking your camera out in bad weather, protect it under a raincoat or umbrella when not shooting. Make use of doorways, storefront arcades, overhangs, awnings or canopies.

For prolonged exposure to the rain, weatherproof your camera with a kitchen plastic bag that is flexible enough to operate the shutter release. Cut a hole for the lens and seal the lens shade to the bag with the use of waterproof tape or a strong rubber band. To protect the lens, use a lens shade and skylight filer. Promptly wipe off moisture that gets on your camera with a dry, clean cloth.

Be alert to such stormy scenes as you photograph, if not, you’ll never know what visual opportunities bad weather might bring.

All these shots were taken handheld with a MKIIDs with a 28-70mm lens and extension tube on the following settings:
Date: 10/21/09
Time: 9:41:07 AM
Latitude:
Longitude:
Model: Canon EOS-1D Mark IIDs
Serial #:
Firmware: Adobe Photoshop CS3 Macintosh
Frame #: 381
Lens (mm): 70
ISO: 800
Aperture: 2.8
Shutter: 1/160
Exp. Comp.: 0.0
Flash Comp.:
Program: Shutter Priority
Focus Mode:
White Bal.:
ICC Profile: Adobe RGB (1998) (embedded)
Contrast:
Sharpening:
Quality:

[photog1107]

Stunning. What length extension tube, may I ask?

[Preacherman]

Thanks Jim. One of the most enjoyable and informative posts I have read. I will never look upon a rainy day the same again. God bless. PAUL

[Jim Bryant]

I used the Canon Extension Tube EF25. When I shot film I carried around my 50mm macro lens in my bag and always shot macro, but since switching to dSLR in 2002, I don't have a macro lens per say, but the 28-70 does have a macro function. It was fun, something I needed to get me off my butt on a rainy day.

[AgBeard]

Inspiring set - the rain on the spider's web is wonderful.

[markus_spring]

Since quite some time I enjoy bad weather photography, not caring too much for my equipment - the Sony A700 is not really sealed but quite rainproof - and since IS and acceptable High-ISO allow to photograph in lower light, I have got some really good examples, like this one:


"The Golden Leaf" on spring2life

Yes - bad weather is definitely no reason to sit at home an pet the cat And that last shot of yours, the acer japonica with the raindrops, is just gorgeous!

Markus

[Jim Bryant]

Ah haaaaaaaaaaaaaaa! Markus, you know your trees well. Having lived in Japan we have quite a few various Japanese Maples in our backyard
Thanks for the comment! I like your rainy shot as well.

Originally Posted by markus_spring

Since quite some time I enjoy bad weather photography, not caring too much for my equipment - the Sony A700 is not really sealed but quite rainproof - and since IS and acceptable High-ISO allow to photograph in lower light, I have got some really good examples, like this one:


"The Golden Leaf" on spring2life

Yes - bad weather is definitely no reason to sit at home an pet the cat And that last shot of yours, the acer japonica with the raindrops, is just gorgeous!

Markus

[sophie]

i also like bad weather shots you can get some very moody shots.

[gungo]

Taking cover under a tree...

[Batgirl44]

I took a rainy windy day opportunity also! I'm always looking for something new to try and shoot!