Thursday, July 5, 2012

Rain drops on roses...



Like most photographers, I live for the beautiful golden light at the beginning and end of each day.  I like the play of light and shadows, and the sun sparkling off of water. But every once in awhile, I really like a rainy day.

I am always on the look out for something different to shoot. A different place, a different subject from my norm, or just a different way to shoot a subject.  But on a rainy day, what calls to me is the rain itself.  The soft lighting of a rainy morning, the rain drops on petals, the saturated colors on a rainy day. I just have to shoot!

When it's a nice gentle rain, and NO thunder and lightning, I drive to my favorite spot. I usually have it all to myself on rainy days!

Some of you may be thinking that I'm a little crazy. Who would go out in the rain with their camera and gear? I understand. I never used to shoot in the rain.  A rainy day was always a day that I stayed inside with my camera.  But a friend of mine makes it a point to shoot in the rain and has always told me what great photos one can get. So one day I took the leap.  As Dotti wrote about in her post on Tuesday, I stepped out of my "usual" and tried something new. I "shook things up" and I'm really glad that I did.

 Obviously, there are some precautions that you need to take if you will be shooting in the rain. No one wants to replace expensive cameras and equipment. There are plenty of "camera raincoats" for sale at photography stores and websites, but I've learned how to make one out of a ziploc bag.  Last week I posted the easy instructions for making this on my personal blog hey jude photography. I also posted tips for shooting in the rain from Jim Richardson, a professional photographer for National Geographic.

I'm sure I look a little comical as I start down the trails with my camera in my handy dandy ziploc camera rain coat, my tripod under one arm, and an umbrella over my head. It's a little bit more work to shoot in the rain, I admit. Holding my umbrella in my left hand over the tripod mounted camera, while using my right hand to control the camera settings, works pretty well. Since I'm planning on doing rainy day photography more often, I am going to purchase a clamp that will hold my umbrella on my tripod, and will make things a little easier.

If you don't mind getting a little damp yourself, you can get some really great shots when it's raining. Colors are more saturated, rain drops dangle from petals and leaves, and the lighting is soft and beautiful.  If you don't usually photograph nature like I do, rainy days are wonderful for street and urban photography as well. I really enjoy the photography of Christophe Jacrot, a French photographer who focuses on street photography in inclement weather -both rain and snow. His images are beautiful.



If you're thinking that you'd like to try rainy day photography, but that what I just described sounds like too much work, Jim Richardson suggests shooting from the protection of an awning, a gazebo, or a porch. Or shoot from your car. Try it. I think that you will really like the results and you'll be able to look at rainy days as another opportunity to be creative with your photography.

Our theme this month is "water." Rain may not be the first thing that you think of when you think of a water theme, but, hey, it's water - it works! Do you always photograph in good weather, or have you braved the elements and gotten wet? Do you have any good rainy day captures? We'd love to see them in our FOL flickr page.  Be sure to post your rainy day photos and any other water photos that you've captured. Label them "WATER" to be considered for the INFOCUS selections this month.

(As a side note - after shooting in the rain I always make sure I use a soft cloth to wipe my camera and lenses off.  I have never had any visible moisture or drops on them, but I wipe them off to be certain they are dry. I also keep silica packs, that come packed in many different products these days, in the bottom of my camera bag. If there ever was any moisture, these would absorb it. I learned this tip from a professional photographer while visiting his shop.)


11 comments:

Dotti said...

Hey, Jude! Some wonderful ideas and information here. If it ever rains here again, I'll try this. I think the light on cloudy and rainy days is always flattering, to people, nature, and urban stuff. I have an inexpensive rain cover that I got from Photojojo, I think, or maybe Amazon. Anyhow, something like $5. It works well but I'll confess that I haven't used it much. Lovely photos, too, and in my book they qualify as "water".

Now ... do you have any tips for shooting in dry, hot, even dusty weather?

Dotti

heyjudephotography said...

Dry, hot, dusty weather. Ok! I'm on it! (Next post?) Just kidding. Yes, it's been a little dry here in NY too, but we finally got rain (with thunder and lightning, just in time to ruin the local fireworks display over the Hudson River! Glad to hear you found such an inexpensive camera rain coat! I hope people try to find one like that, or just use a ziploc bag and get out and try this some day.

Linda said...

I do love a soft rain! I have wandered out to my backyard in a sprinkle to take a picture but why not head to somewhere new! Great idea! And there should be few to no other people there!
I'm off to your blog now for more tips!
Thanks, Judy!

xo,
Linda

Deanna said...

What an excellent post, so many wonderful ideas, tips and info!! Great images too. Now if it would only rain!!

terriporter said...

Oh, your images have me praying for rain. Or "more rain" because it actually rained yesterday for the first time in many months and what did I do? I took my grandson to the movies! Probably missed the only chance I'll have for shooting in the rain for a long, long time. But you make me want to try it the first opportunity I have. We do have an occasional cloudy day and I've always loved the results of shooting with an overcast sky. Thanks for all the tips and I hope we get some rain soon so I can try them!

Cathy H. said...

Sounds like we're all in the same boat...praying for rain! We do have a small chance several days next week! My grandson's will be visiting and if it rains I'll be out there dancing in the rain with them! I'll use your hints and try to take a few pictures!! Great post!

Carol said...

I've always been told "digital loves fog," and from your pics, I can see it loves rain too. I especially love the first one. Enjoyed your blog today too. Thanks Judy - nice post!

Leigh said...

Beautiful photos Judy! I love shooting after the rain, but never thought about shooting in the rain. Now if it would just rain around here! Great tip about the silica gel packs too.

Claudia said...

OOOOH ms Kim!

Lovely post! So spot on with our theme. Love it!

And grand tips too. I am going to grab some silica packs too.

I have always loved Christophe Jacrot -- very inspirational

stephmull said...

Loved all your tips, tricks and ideas here. I am going to have to check out a raincoat for my camera! Beautiful shots too!!

Kim Stevens said...

Love the tip on the silica gel! I haven't ever actually shot in the rain, but after and before, and I have shot in the fog once and it was heavenly! But I will say that I have a spray bottle and I know how to use it! haha Great post!

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