Picture Of The Week – Red Chairs Through Rainy Window

It’s been so long since we have had a good rain around here that I was surprised when water started to fall from the sky this morning.

We were outside and K was almost done mowing, I was deciding if I should get the weed eater first or sweep the driveway first when the mower began to putter as it ran out of gas. Just about at that same moment the rain started to fall.

Nice!

So there is now a tiny bit of the yard left un-mowed, the driveway still covered with cut grass, and the tall weeds still stand along the curb and between the irises; but that’s ok. We really needed the rain.

The cracks in the backyard are so wide and so deep that I think I can almost see light coming up from the other side.

I think that today’s KKHPhotos.com picture of the week must be a rainy one so I’ll go with this…

Red Chairs Through Rainy Window

November, 2011 – 40 mm – 1/60 - f/4 – ISO 100

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Shooting In The Rain

Recently I spent a quiet rainy morning at Gage Park in Topeka Kansas. This park has too many photo opportunities to let a little rain get in the way so I grabbed the umbrella and kept on shooting.

I wanted to share a couple of my favorite shots from that rainy day photo shoot and give you a few ideas on how you can keep shooting; even in the rain.

* Use some kind of rain coat for your camera. You’ll find lots of specialty products on the market that are made just for this propose but in a pinch a gallon size zipper baggie, with a hole cut out for the lens, will keep your camera dry in a light rain. Oh, and be sure you are carrying your gear in a weather proof bag while you’re out.

* Use a hood to keep those drops off the face of your lens.

* Keep an absorbent cloth handy to wipe away any water that falls on your camera.

* Carry an umbrella if the rain is a bit heavier. It can be awkward to hold the umbrella and your camera at the same time but it can be done with a little practice. If you’ve got a good friend who doesn’t mind getting a little wet take him/her along to hold the umbrella for you! Sometimes including your umbrella in the image can add a splash of color and a little more detail to the scene.

* If the rain really starts to come down look for store awnings, bridges, shelter houses, or gazebos to duck under and keep dry. While you are waiting for the rain to let up keep an eye out for those shots that come to you and snap away from the safety of your covered spot.

* DO NOT change your lens while you’re out in the rain.

* Rainy days usually mean darker days so try adding a little fill flash to wake up the shadows and light up those rain drops.

* Keep an eye open for wet streets that create interesting reflections and rain drops that create ripples on the water.

* Watch for color to liven up the dark gray skies; colorful umbrellas and flower filled gardens are great for rainy days.

* Too stormy to stay out? Try shooting a stormy scene through the window. You might be surprised at the results!

 

You can see all the photos from my rainy morning at Gage Park at KKHPhotos.com in the On Location group; Gage Park Topeka, Kansas gallery.  Prints, gallery wraps, gifts, and downloads are available.

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