Weather Got You Down? Give These Rain Photography Tips a Try
- Snow and Rain Photography Challenges
- Snow and Rain Photography Solution: GoShelter
- Snow and Rain Photography Solution: Lens Fogging
- Snow and Rain Photography Solution: Really Good Shoes
- Snow and Rain Photography Solution: Exposure Challenges
- Mindset for Snow and Rain Photography
- Other Recommended Photography Gear
- How To Protect Your Camera from Rain
- 4 Essentials for Hiking Photography
- Outdoor Photography Gear You Need Before Your Next Trip
As a landscape photographer, I like to create images in all sorts of differing circumstances. Among the things that I have learned through the years is that bad weather can make for amazing photography.
Overcast days, rain photography, snow storm photography, atmospheric haze, all of these situations or conditions can be used to advantage to create stunning images. Photography in the rain, snow, or on a windy beach is not free of issues, but there are some simple ways to overcome the challenges.
Let’s discuss some of the challenges I’ve encountered and the various ways I have dealt with them and even leverage them to my advantage.
Table of Contents:
Snow and Rain Photography Challenges
Photo by Sandra Dombrovsky via iStock
Most of the issues I encounter with photography in the rain, snow, or other inclement weather concern equipment safety. Dust, moisture, and excessive heat or cold can play havoc with high-tech equipment.
Though my primary camera gear for outdoor photography is weather and dust resistant with advanced seals, none of it is completely waterproof. My GoPro camera is, and that’s what I’ll use in the absolute harshest conditions or any time I’m likely to be actually IN the water.
But, if I want to use my special lenses and filters, employ some exposure tricks, or capture in the highest possible resolution, I’m using my camera system.
Now here’s the thing, my cameras and lenses are sealed, but precipitation can still gather on the gear and end up causing a problem. Or drops of water collect on the lens or filter surfaces. There are some great new solutions for snow and rain photography.
Snow and Rain Photography Solution: GoShelter
One of the best solutions I’ve ever found for rain photography is GoShelter wearable self-canopy. It is lightweight, collapses for storage and travel, and operates hands-free. If you’re working for any length of time in the weather, you’ll love this solution for snow and rain photography protection.
What I think makes GoShelter such a great tool for photography in the weather is that it’s completely hands-free. You attach it to yourself with a couple of straps across your shoulders, chest, hips, and waist.
The straps hold it securely to your body in a fairly strong wind, though I might hesitate to use it in extremely high winds. I have to say, though, I’m very impressed by how high of a wind gust this canopy can handle. In this video from the GoShelter Youtube channel, it held up in 55 mph gusts!
Hands-free is nice because you aren’t encumbered by holding it while shooting. It isn’t attached anywhere to the camera either, so you don’t need to worry about undue stress on a camera top plate, as with some camera umbrellas I’ve tested.
Since it’s not a bag, all of the camera controls and readouts are visible. Nothing is covering up any part of the camera or lens. You can keep your camera on a strap and move around just as you would without GoShelter. You could even mount a flashgun to your camera, turn your camera to capture in portrait orientation, and use the camera's rearview screen; nothing is in your way.
Yet, you are very well covered from precipitation while wearing it. It has a deep coverage area and is wide enough to permit a natural range of motion. The top is angled down slightly to promote water flow, and the entire design is engineered for comfort, including some airflow around your body.
Once you’re back in clear weather or it’s time to leave, the device collapses and folds up into a compact storage bag. It reminds me of a collapsible light reflector or a spring-up tent in how it folds up and how it unfolds for use.
I thought it was also quite reasonably priced - not much more than a high-capacity XQD or CFexpress card for pro series cameras. The only hard choice now about getting one is choosing the color! It comes in safety orange and green, black, marine blue, Robin's egg blue, and two different camo patterns.
Snow and Rain Photography Solution: Lens Fogging
A major issue for some snow or rain photography days is the lens fogging up. It usually happens with extreme humidity (like a downpour) or rapid temperature changes from warm to cold.
There are several solutions to this problem. One, I like to keep desiccant packs in my camera or lens bag; it soaks up moisture. Two, I try to let my gear gradually warm up or cool down instead of rushing out of the car with a warm and toasty heater into the below-freezing weather with my camera in hand.
Thirdly, a microfiber lens cleaning cloth can be used for small amounts of moisture that might spray onto the lens element or my filter. If you keep your lenses as clean as I do before and after an outing, you won’t have to worry about smearing or smudges.
Snow and Rain Photography Solution: Really Good Shoes
It sometimes sounds a little bit like a broken record with me and shoes, but the wrong shoes can negatively impact how comfortable you feel and how safe you are when doing photography in the rain, snow, or even in decent weather.
To be honest, there are a lot of choices available for outdoor footwear. Specifically for hiking, I’ve tried sandals, shoes, and boots; I like the mid-boots the best. Timberland makes an excellent pair, the Timberland Chocorua Trail Gore-tex Mid Hiking Boot pictured above. They’re comfortable in hot, cold, wet, or dry weather and are also nice-looking.
Snow and Rain Photography Solution: Exposure Challenges
Photo by ArtMarie via iStock
Current cameras use matrix or evaluative metering in many of their exposure modes, but you still might need to make some compensation for bright snow or sand or large areas of deep shadow like you might find in snow, beach, or rain photography.
We have some excellent tutorials on these subjects at PhtographyTalk and you may also want to look for some video, book, or eBook guides covering your specific camera model for ideas on what controls and features you have available.
Mindset for Snow and Rain Photography
Photo by evgenyatamanenko via iStock
The biggest mindset for snow or rain photography that I like to emphasize is Don’t Go Home! Like a child playing in the puddles, photography in the rain continues the joy of photography into new realms.
The fun really starts in landscape and nature photography when you step out of your comfort zone and search for the best images in whatever situation you find yourself in. Try out my tips, and let me know what you capture!
