In this article, we’re going to give you 10 tips that will help inspire you to go out and get wet!
1. Weather-Proof Your Gear
It may go without saying that gearing up for the rain is a no-brainer. A rain jacket, umbrella, boots or water-resistant shoes, and warm clothes are always a good idea. But you also need to remember to protect your camera gear.
If your camera isn’t weather-sealed (or even if it is), consider purchasing a specialized case for shooting in the rain. You can also use the cheap yet effective method of carrying a Ziploc bag with a hole cut out for the lens to stick through.
If you’re carrying extra camera accessories, consider getting a rain-resistant camera bag that has a cover.
2. Charge the Batteries and Format the Memory Cards Beforehand
This is a good rule of thumb regardless of the weather, but it particularly holds true for rainy conditions. You want to limit the times you’ll need to stop the action and open your camera bag or reach inside your jacket to replace batteries or memory cards. This is to prevent as much rain and moisture from reaching your gear as possible.
The same strategy applies to your smartphone. Make sure it’s fully charged. And bring a spare power bank; this may prove invaluable, especially if you plan on editing your photos while still on the move.
Speaking of your smartphone, check out our guide for converting your smartphone into a street photography camera.
3. Shoot One-Handed
The ability to shoot street photography one-handed in the rain has its advantages.
For one, you’ll be able to hold an umbrella in the other hand. Keeping yourself and your equipment dry is of utmost importance, after all. This may not always be possible or even desirable, but shooting with one hand allows for flexibility that can ultimately help you get better shots in the rain.
Shooting one-handed also allows you to use a speedlight if your camera doesn’t have a built-in flash.
4. Use Flash for Close-Up Subjects
Using flash in the rain can make for some dramatic street photography. If you get close enough to your subjects, you’ll be able to create a stunning separation from the background, especially if it’s raining a lot. That’s because the flash will light up the subject’s face as well as the falling raindrops.
If you’re looking to add more drama and excitement to your photography, use flash. You can also add fog to your photos by using plugins like Luminar AI.
5. Only Carry One Camera and One Lens
When it comes to shooting street photography in the rain, carrying multiple cameras and lenses could be detrimental. When staying dry is the most important thing, swapping lenses or even cameras in the rain could result in a disaster.
You don’t want to fumble with gear during a downpour with an umbrella in one hand while your free hand tries to sort out zippers and gear swap-outs. It’s best to have a one-camera and one-lens kit for your street photography outings in the rain. It will simplify your life and keep your gear safe.
6. Avoid Thunderstorms and Lightning
This may sound like another no-brainer, but if you don’t act as soon as you hear thunder or see the winds picking up, it may be too late to seek out proper shelter. Being stuck out in the elements during a sudden storm could prove fatal when lighting and high winds are involved.
Check out these apps and websites to prepare for winter storms.
7. Know Where the Cafes Are
There are several good reasons for knowing where a cafe (or restaurant) is for your rainy day street photography outings. You can grab a quick cup of coffee, have access to a bathroom, simply rest, and have shelter from dangerous weather.
Planning your route before you leave is always a good idea when it’s raining or when there’s a good chance of rain. You’ll thank yourself if the need for shelter arises!
8. Use a Wide-Angle Lens
Using a wide-angle prime lens or a zoom lens that can shoot wide has several advantages for shooting street photography in the rain.
What is considered wide? The most common focal lengths for street photography are between 24mm and 35mm.
Rainfall can be very dramatic. If you want to capture the drama, shooting wide will capture your subject as well as the environment. All that rain will serve to make your scene more dramatic, moody, and interesting. Here are more ways to make your photos more interesting. Rain tops the list!
9. Revisit Familiar Places
Play to the strength of knowing your neighborhood. The advantage of shooting street photography in the rain in a familiar place is that you’ll feel more confident about getting the shots you want, and you get to capture the same place under different conditions, therefore your archives will have a diversity of imagery.
Most street photographers revisit familiar places as a matter of practice. Doing this in the rain virtually guarantees that you’ll have a more interesting collection of photos to show for your efforts.
10. Take Black-and-White Pictures
Even in the modern day, there’s something about black-and-white street photography that captures the timelessness of a scene. Shooting black-and-white street photography means that shape, form, and texture will be important elements in your images; and the rain will play a starring role.
The rain can also drown out our world of color, quite literally. Even if you shoot in color, consider post-processing your images in black-and-white to up the drama. Plugins like Silver Efex Pro are perfect for black-and-white conversions.
Shooting in the Rain
With the right planning, shooting street photography in the rain can be a fulfilling experience and a wonderful way to connect with your community. Don’t let the winter months or moody weather dictate when you take pictures. Go out and take those shots!
