Some photographers dislike rainy weather, so many hobbyists "pack up and go home" when it rains. However, with the right waterproofing measures for your gear, you can still shoot in the rain—and capture uniquely charming photos. Here are four tips I’ve learned from shooting in the rain:
Shoot the “Tail End of the Rain”: Heavy rain or downpours can vividly convey the atmosphere of rainy weather. But for beginners, it’s best to start with landscapes during light drizzle or just before the rain stops. There’s often a period of sparse, light rain just before the rain ceases—let’s call it the “tail end” of the rain—which is ideal for novice photographers. Just remember, no matter how fine the rain, always protect your gear from moisture.
Use Mid-Range Aperture for Light Rain Landscapes: When shooting landscapes during the “tail end” or light rain, a mid-range aperture helps convey both a serene mood and the wet texture of subjects. This differs from shooting in clear weather—you shouldn’t use a small aperture, but rather a mid-range one like F8 or F9. A mid-range aperture doesn’t blur the background too much, keeping it softly visible and enhancing the tranquil atmosphere. Also, since the sky is darker in light rain, try to find a dark background and shoot against the light to highlight your subject.
Use Slow Shutter Speed to Capture Ripple Effects: When raindrops hit water, they create ripples that spread outward. Light rain is the perfect time to capture these water ripple effects. The key is to adjust your shutter speed based on the rain intensity. A high shutter speed will show fewer ripples, so opt for a slower speed to capture more detailed patterns on the water’s surface.
Camera Settings: For light rain scenes, use Shutter Priority mode, set the Picture Style to “Standard,” and ISO to 100. In harsher weather, you may increase the ISO slightly.
Water ripple effect shot at 1/13 sec slow shutter speed. To bring out details in the darker areas, an exposure compensation of -0.3EV was applied.
Cherry blossom tree shot in light rain, highlighting the delicate droop of twigs and the tranquil surroundings. The pink blossoms stand out beautifully against the slightly darker background under backlighting. To enhance the texture and tonal range of the branches, an exposure compensation of -0.3EV was used.