How to take great photos in bad
Want to stay indoors when it’s raining? Aquapac thinks it’s the perfect time to be out snapping...
Photography in the UK is reliably plagued
with bad weather. In fact, outside the height
of summer, if we allowed the wind and
the rain to stop us from taking outdoor
photographs in Britain we’d have a very
small repertoire.
Instead we believe it’s much better to embrace
the conditions, no matter where you are, and
understand how best to use the atmosphere and
picturesque settings provided by the weather to
produce provocative and captivating photos.
But how to do it with success? It falls into
three categories. It’s a matter of protecting your
equipment, using your equipment in a different
way and making yourself as comfortable as
possible. Let’s start with you:
Stay as dry as possible
It can take time to get the photo you’re trying
to achieve and the best way to keep your morale
high whilst you wait for the exact moment to
click is to stay warm and dry. Not only by wearing
waterproofs, proper footwear and a warm hat,
but also having a hot drink with you, something
waterproof to sit on and even a base or car to get
back to quickly if the weather turns particularly
horrendous.
Or just embrace the water!
If you’re already wet, make the most of the
opportunity to get that perfect shot; even if it
means taking a dip in a river or puddle. If you’re
worried about damaging your kit, Aquapac offer
fully submersible cases that can also float when
dropped into water. Always make sure to stay safe
and check with local lifeguards if the weather is
expected to turn.
Keeping your camera dry
Carry your camera around in a waterproof bag
or case so that it’s protected as much as possible
when you don’t need it. There are a number of
waterproof cameras now available but most people
with a DSLR-type camera will need to place it
into a waterproof case for extended outdoor use.
Aquapac sells both waterproof (submersible) and
stormproof waterproof cases for all cameras from
mini point and shoots to high-spec mirrorless
cameras.
If you’re using a phone to take photographs,
you may have a model that is water resistant
to a certain degree. Because of this, you don’t
12 Outdoor focus | spring 2020
necessarily need to worry about rain and water
unless you plan to submerge it for a long period.
However, Aquapac’s waterproof phone cases don’t
affect your ability to use the phone, or the quality
of the lens – so in a way there’s no excuse not to
use one. At least you know your phone will stay
functional no matter how bad the weather turns.
Keeping the lens dry
There are a few things you can do to keep your lens
dry; the first is obviously to keep the lens cap on as
long as you possibly can and the second is to carry
around a good collection of microfibre cloths to
regularly wipe the lens. The third is to think about
the direction of the rain and the direction in which
you’re pointing your lens. Don’t point the camera
directly into the wind – it won’t matter how many
times you wipe the lens, you’ll never get a clean
shot. Instead have the wind behind you or point the
lens slightly downwards. Lastly keep the lens hood
on as that will give you just a little extra protection
from rain.
Umbrellas
Consider using an umbrella on a spare tripod to
keep you and your camera dry. Just don’t put the
umbrella up if the wind is racing! If all else fails,
always carry a black plastic bin liner with you. It
will either work as a make shift camera case or a
poncho for yourself!
Thinking creatively
Why do you need to point your camera forwards? Is
there anything you can do creatively to minimise
how much water falls on the lens? Look down –
puddles can be beautiful to photograph. Rain drops
landing on a lake, or the water’s edge are incredibly
mesmerising. Think about your location – are
there trees or bushes you can shelter underneath
– using any light managing to find its way through
the overgrowth to illuminate your subject.
Turn away from the landscape
Instead of trying to photograph the weather and
the landscape – instead turn your focus to the
people around you and how the weather is affecting
them. Can you photograph the human emotions
drummed up by the weather? You don’t even need
to be outside to do this.
However, if you are going to take photographs
through a car or house window make sure the glass
is incredibly clean, don’t use a flash, look for where
the sun is (perhaps!) shining - and make sure you