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<\/a>\t\t\tAn optimistic couple wait for an event to begin at London\u2019s Somerset House. Photo by Peter Dench<\/p>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\n
If you curse your luck when it starts to rain and immediately pack away your gear, you need to reset your mental barometer. \u2018There\u2019s no such thing as bad weather, merely new challenges, and rain is one of them,\u2019 notes landscape and travel photographer Tony Worobiec<\/a>. He adds: \u2018It takes commitment to get out there and take photographs when it\u2019s pouring down, but if you do you will be rewarded with some wonderful opportunities.\u2019<\/p>\n Most photographers in the UK will have seen enough rain for a lifetime, and take it for granted. But with a bit of creativity and lateral thinking, shooting in the rain can be a great chance to take very distinctive shots.<\/p>\n Tony has consistently done just that. When a colleague told him they spent two days of a workshop sitting in a hotel room due to bad weather, Tony screamed inside. \u2018I see rain as a wonderful opportunity for good photography. It\u2019s surprising how it transforms otherwise mundane locations. I have been a fan of rain for quite a while.\u2019<\/p>\n In Tony\u2019s book, Photographing Landscape Whatever the Weather (RHE Media Limited 2018), the emphasis is to show the reader there\u2019s no such thing as bad weather and all offer different opportunities. \u2018The challenge is to match the location to the weather, rather than pining for a foggy or rainy day or nice blue sky, have locations in mind that work well for each,\u2019 he advises.<\/p>\n\t\t Tony Worobiec\u2019s atmospheric shot of Swanage Pier. 1\/200sec at f\/11, ISO 200<\/p>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\n The joy of rain photography is that it can be done anywhere. Tony\u2019s stark images of seaside piers reflected in rain collected on Nice!boards contrast with his woodland shots. Using his Canon EF100-400mm f\/4.5-5.6L IS USM lens to compress perspective, he creates a misty effect with saturated colours in the trees nearest to the camera with the middle and far distance as if in a slight fog. The overall aesthetic is pastoral and beautiful.<\/p>\n \u2018I will take a rainy day over a sunny one any day. The rain adds so much more to a photo,\u2019 admits prolific semi-professional photographer David Oxtaby. David is based in West Yorkshire, mainly shooting local, landscapes with sojourns to Wales and Isle of Wight. His work has been shortlisted two years running in the national Historic Photographer of the Year competition and his book, Yorkshire \u2013 A Different Perspective, is due for publication later this year.<\/p>\n He also has a knack for capturing rainbows. \u2018You get this feeling when the elements are just about right, watching the skies, when I see a break where the sun can shine through and the clouds are moving away, you know there\u2019s the chance of a rainbow. I get my camera out and hope it happens.\u2019<\/p>\n\t\t The reflected lights of Redcar Pier make this image by Tony Worobiec really stand out 6 sec at f\/16, ISO 400<\/p>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\n His stunning photograph of a double rainbow shot on the edge of the Yorkshire Dales near the village of Embsay (taken on 23 October 2020 at a time when rainbows symbolised appreciation for key workers during the pandemic) was picked up and published extensively in the national press.<\/p>\n \u2018I could tell a rainbow was coming because of the movement of the clouds so I got myself ready. When the double rainbow appeared I was speechless. I took a couple of shots and then stopped and watched, it was an awesome moment. Even the second rainbow was incredibly bright, which you don\u2019t often see.<\/p>\n \u2018I rarely use a tripod when shooting rainbows, I\u2019m concentrating on the rainbow. I\u2019ll make sure the camera, usually my Olympus E-M10 Mk II, has the versatile and compact M.Zuiko Digital ED 9-18mm F4.0-5.6 wideangle zoom lens attached, as you\u2019ll often be near to the rainbow and set the aperture at 7.1.<\/p>\n\t\t Double Rainbow at Embsay by David Oxtaby 1\/250sec at f\/9, ISO 250<\/p>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\n Adding a polarising filter to enhance the colours, that\u2019s important. If there\u2019s no wind I\u2019ll have an umbrella to keep the camera dry which doesn\u2019t always work. Generally with rainbows it blows against your back,\u2019 he remembers.<\/p>\n \u2018Being a big Olympus fan I use them for most of my rainbow shots. I\u2019ll maybe lighten the shadows in post production. For the Embsay double rainbow I did very little to it. Once your polarising filter is on, what you see on the screen is pretty much what you get out of the camera,\u2019 explains David.<\/p>\n \u2018To me, the wrong weather is a blue cloudless sky because there\u2019s no drama or interest, it\u2019s bland. When you have clouds in the sky, storm clouds, rain clouds, it all makes the photo. On a bright sunny, hazy day when the light is very flat it\u2019s difficult to photograph but when you see the clouds come with tonnes of water in them, there\u2019s drama. The worst weather is a sunny day. I do love photography, it keeps me sane and I can share it with others. Photography is very positive. A photo can brighten someone\u2019s day, even if it is of the rain!\u2019<\/p>\n\t\t A wet Westminster Bridge, London by Alex Saberi. 1\/30sec at f\/3.2, ISO 640<\/p>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\n National Geographic photographer Alex Saberi<\/a> is perhaps best known for his photographs, Richmond Park (ACC Editions 15 Jun 2012) shot near to where he lives in London. He also relishes an urban downpour. \u2018Most people don\u2019t like rain but you learn to actually see the forecast for rain and go \u201cBrilliant! Get your camera gear together and go out to take photographs.\u201d\u2019<\/p>\n His handheld photographs of London landmarks reflected in paving, water and cracks are illuminated with streaks of colour. \u2018I love colour, my eye is tuned to colour. With the rain series it was about getting that vibrancy and colour, it would have to be that point where the sun had almost gone down, and the lights come on at Big Ben or Tower Bridge and you get the colours of the street lights and dying natural light.<\/p>\n\t\t The London Eye by Alex Saberi. 1\/60sec at f\/7.1, ISO 500<\/p>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\n With a high ISO you can still capture people moving through the scene. The rain makes more interesting colours and patterns.\u2019 As for me and rain, I love shooting posh events like Royal Ascot or the Henley Royal Regatta. Everyone is dressed up, and if the skies open, you get a dramatic visual metamorphosis. I like to unleash flash, one to three stops under, to crisp up the colours and make the raindrops pop.<\/p>\n So, to be an all-round successful photographer you must learn to work in the rain. It teaches you to adapt and incorporate what is in front of the lens creatively. Being a fair-weather shooter means you are missing out.<\/p>\n You can also take interesting shots in the rain by capturing moving vehicles and the spray they create. Use a long lens to avoid getting splashed, and try shooting from an open window or upper floor of a multi- storey car park. If it\u2019s just too wet to venture out, consider photographing the window as a possible subject for cool abstracts.<\/p>\n \u2018The secret here is to focus on droplets on the glass pane while throwing the landscape outside out of focus, so select a wide aperture,\u2019 notes Tony. \u2018By focusing precisely on the small cluster of drops, they serve as an informal prism of the landscape outside. If you try this, keep your lens parallel to the surface of the glass when taking the shot.\u2019<\/p>\n\t\t Once the rain has passed, you will notice that the colours are much more enhanced. Photo by Tony Worobiec<\/p>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\n Just like grey skies, rain comes in many varieties, each of which presents unique challenges for the photographer. Drizzle is the lightest type and relatively easy to work in. The droplets of water are smaller than raindrops and it can often be confused with mist. The ground will appear wet, although in light drizzle the water can evaporate quite quickly.<\/p>\n Thunderstorms are obviously much more violent, and while they can be tricky to work in, there can be some great opportunities for original images as a lot of your contemporaries will be sheltering indoors! Storms that involve thunder and lightning are more common in late spring, particularly during the afternoon and evening, so check the weather forecast.<\/p>\n Rain with wind is possibly the most difficult weather condition to work in, particularly if the direction of the wind fluctuates. It is possible to work with your back to the wind, but you will find it does have a habit of changing direction.<\/p>\n Surprisingly, steady rain is possibly the easiest rain condition to work under, and one which offers the best possible results. The secret is to look to the ground, as the reflections and enhanced colour saturation open up all sorts of creative possibilities. Free of wind, you should be able to work quite comfortably \u2013 providing you take necessary waterproofing precautions.<\/p>\n Here are some examples of how Tony Worobiec made the most of rainy and wet weather to get some stand-out shots:<\/strong><\/p>\n \u2018I shot this at dawn and was fascinated by the rich colours of the nearby neon reflected in the wet Tarmac,\u2019 says Tony. \u2018While it is easy to assume I was exposed to the elements, I was sheltering underneath the canopy of my motel room.\u2019<\/p>\n \u2018It\u2019s quite amazing how rain, particularly when photographed at night, can transform an otherwise prosaic location into something more special,\u2019 adds Tony. \u2018Seen earlier in the day, I barely gave this cafe\u0301 a second glance.\u2019<\/p>\n You don\u2019t necessarily need a torrential downpour to get an interesting shoot in the rain, says Tony. In this example, there was just a light drizzle, but it was sufficient to offer a reflective surface for the gaudy neon lighting.<\/p>\n \u2018Waterfalls make excellent subjects to photograph when it is raining, says Tony. \u2018They\u2019re best shot using a slow shutter speed in order to capture the silky effect of flowing water; this is most successful in overcast conditions.\u2019<\/p>\n Tony explains how jetties and piers can make great subjects to shoot in the rain. \u2018By ensuring that my ISO rating and aperture were preset, I was able to take my camera out of the bag just at the last moment, thus minimising exposure to the rain,\u2019 he says.<\/p>\n Here are some ideas and techniques to try when we have that inevitable downpour this spring<\/p>\n Long lens<\/strong><\/p>\n Use it to compress perspective and create a misty effect.<\/p>\n Tripod<\/strong><\/p>\n Often needed for longer exposures, which can yield interesting effects.<\/p>\n Microfibre cloth<\/strong><\/p>\n To dry your lens: much better than your shirt.<\/p>\n Phone<\/strong><\/p>\n Downpours can be unpredictable, so take a phone for safety. Phone weather apps can also alert you to sunny spells, which may mean some great rainbows.<\/p>\n Lens hood<\/strong><\/p>\n A lens hood is another useful accessory for keeping your lens dry, and it will also help to prevent flare when shooting in sunnier conditions. Lens hoods are also for protecting your lens from bangs and scuffs as you\u2019re walking around.<\/p>\n Golf umbrella holder<\/strong><\/p>\n Golf umbrella holders are designed to be attached to a golf trolley, but some can be attached to your tripod when shooting in the rain \u2013 which, of course, will free up both hands for operating the camera.<\/p>\n Decent waterproofs<\/strong><\/p>\n There\u2019s no point keeping your lens dry if you\u2019re so wet and cold you can\u2019t concentrate. There\u2019s a huge range of waterproof gear for photographers.<\/p>\n Rain Cover – On a budget<\/strong><\/p>\n If you resent spending money on a rain cover you might only use a few times a year, it\u2019s easy enough to make your own to cope with spring showers. Take a clear plastic bag, then position the bag over your camera and lens so the centre of the bag sits on top of the end of the lens (making sure your camera is completely covered by the bag).<\/p>\n Secure the bag over your lens with elastic bands, then cut out a hole for the lens. Remove your eyepiece and make another hole before replacing it, or stick the bag around the eyepiece with tape if you can\u2019t remove the eyepiece.<\/p>\n Next, attach your lens hood, ensuring the bag sits between the hood and lens body. Check the lens is sealed properly, adding an elastic band on the lens barrel near the hood for extra peace of mind.<\/p>\n Step by step guide to photographing raindrops<\/a><\/p>\n Impressive shot of a rare ‘white rainbow’ goes viral<\/a><\/p>\n Follow AP on\u00a0Facebook<\/a>,\u00a0Twitter<\/a>,\u00a0Instagram<\/a>, and\u00a0YouTube<\/a>.<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Rather than being deterred by the often wet British climate, we should revel in the photo opportunities provided by damper days \u2013 Peter Dench discovers how to get great shots in the rain<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":10,"featured_media":167378,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[371],"tags":[1636,3106,3218,2964],"product-category":[],"class_list":["post-73530","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-camera_skills","tag-all-weather","tag-british","tag-rain","tag-weather"],"yoast_head":"\nNo such thing as bad weather<\/h3>\n
<\/a>\t\t\tChasing rainbows<\/h3>\n
<\/a>\t\t\t<\/a>\t\t\t<\/a>\t\t\tOn reflection<\/h3>\n
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\nCreative possibilities<\/h3>\n
\t\t\tNot all rain is the same<\/h3>\n
Parked Car and Wet Tarmac<\/h3>\n
\nSpanish Cafe\u0301 at Night<\/h3>\n
\nThe Blue Swallow Motel<\/h3>\n
\nWaterfalls<\/h3>\n
\nSwanage Pier, Dorset<\/h3>\n
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\nTen top tips for rain photography<\/h3>\n
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\nKit list<\/h3>\n
\nFurther reading:<\/h3>\n