You’re nicely dressed, hair coiffed, kids quiet and happy – the perfect time for a family photo shoot to get some great shots for a 3D crystal or laser printed key ring for the grandparents! Of course, this is the exact moment that the heavens will open up and rain will come pouring down. Living in the perennially soaked UK means that we have to be hale and hearty about the wet weather, and a little rain doesn’t have to halt a photo shoot – it just means you need some tips and tricks for shooting in dim light and with water present.
1. Learn to love the lighting – While rain can literally put a damper on a fun day out, cloudy skies heaving with rain can actually provide moody, atmospheric lighting perfect for certain themes. A rainy day is obviously perfect for a spooky and dark feel, but this weather can also be brilliant for showing off bright colours – the contrast is striking.
2. Play with puddles – A bright yellow rain slicker, juicy red galoshes and a whimsical umbrella can all transform a toddler – or an adult – into the perfect photo subject. Capture your family dancing in the rain, playing in the puddles, chasing your dog through a field or setting boats adrift at the local pond – the rain can be magical.
3. Remember to protect your camera and gear – Ideally you have a water proof camera, but if not, don’t fear. Special cases, accessories and protective gear can be purchased in order to ensure that your photography investment stays well covered and in tip top working order.
4. Don’t be afraid of a flash! Rain literally transforms the landscape, making for a visually stunning experience in person. That said, sometimes it can be difficult to capture the detail in this lower lighting, and everything can appear washed out and grey. To avoid this, try using your flash – the pop of colour can really help to add shine to the raindrops, enhance details, and bring excitement to the photo.
5. Shutter to think – Your shutter speed is really important when shooting photos in the rain – remember that the rain should be treated like a moving subject. If you want to capture the individual drops, speed up your shutter. If you want to create an in motion ‘blur’ effect, then make sure to slow it down.
