A city intersection during the onset of a typhoon.
Sometimes the weather sucks. Heavy rain, Strong winds, Typhoon/hurricane/cyclone. Mist and fog. Blizzards. It’d be nice if the golden hour on a perfect day lasted all day, if it did, it’d be the golden day not the golden hour. And if the weather were perfect all the time, we’d still find something to complain about.
Photography in bad weather comes with it’s own set of challenges. Contrary to common belief, the first spots of rain are not a sign to put away your cameras and head home. In fact, those first spots of rain can sometimes bring about opportunities that wouldn’t otherwise exist. The changing weather will often produce some great lighting so you’d be wise to look out for it and make sure you have an interesting subject to photograph when it comes.
Once to do decide to stick around and keep shooting, there are a few points you should keep in mind. While a little rain won’t destroy your camera, you still don’t want to leave it out there sitting in the open under a downpour. If you plan to photograph for a long time under heavy rain, you may need to consider investing in some protective covering for the camera (and yourself). In most cases though, your bad weather photography will probably be done under some kind of shelter that keeps you out of the worst of the conditions. No matter how good a raincoat or waterproof clothing you’re wearing, most people simply don’t enjoy getting rained on. Positioning yourself under some kind of shelter and shooting out into the rain is easy in a city or town, and you’ll still be rewarded with good images. Your camera probably will get a few splashes. Don’t worry too much about them. A dry cloth is usually sufficient to wipe the waterdrops off. Using a lens hood will also help to keep water off the glass.
Condensation may be a problem, particularly if your gear is exposed to large changes in temperature. That could happen as easily as going from a cool environment to a warm one. In the topics, where I live, this is a common issue, as it’s usually hot and humid outside during summer, and cool and dry inside thanks to all the airconditioners running. If you’re not in the tropics, you may be faced with the opposite problem of moving from the cool outdoor air into a warm home or car. Make sure you dry your camera as much as possible before changing environments and you’ll limit the opportunities for condensation to form.
At times the biggest issue you will face is not how to protect your gear, but how to protect yourself. Don’t take any unnecessary risks with your personal safety. If the conditions are hazardous, get yourself somewhere safe. Particularly during tropical storms or gale force winds, flying debris can be a real hazard, much more so than the rain coming down. If you see objects being blown around, play it safe. The same applies to flash floods – when the rain is really coming down, keep away from riverbanks, drains and streams.
The aftermath of storms is often a great time for photography. As people venture out, grab your camera and join them. Don’t be afraid to lend a hand for any clean up necessary but take the time to take a few photographs while you’re at it.
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