Photographing in the Rain

[Shadowman]

https://www.nationalgeographic.com/p...in-richardson/

I wonder if on less windy days if an umbrella attached to a stand would benefit a photographer.

[DanK]

An interesting article. thanks for posting.

I've used an umbrella that I held with one hand. It's awkward, but it works if the wind isn't too strong. I think an umbrella on a stand would work only if there is almost no wind at all.

[Manfred M]

Try putting an umbrella on a light stand and even a small gust of wind will blow it over. Add some ballast (i.e. sandbag) to the base and the setup will stabilize a bit but it will still be tricky to work with. Carrying around the additional gear is a bit of a challenge.

Like Dan, I have shot holding an umbrella in one hand and holding the camera with the other. It can be a bit tricky, but it works. I've also used camera rain covers (in situations where I had enough foresight to bring one along). In an emergency, I have used plastic bags and used the disposable shower caps found in some hotel rooms.

The comments about standing under shelter; awnings, in a bus shelter, etc work well so long as one can get a decent shot from the location.

The article makes a lot of good points on integrating rain into the shot. The one I really like that is not mentioned is doing night shots with wet roads and sidewalks. These add a lot of interesting elements into a shot that simply isn't there when it is dry out.

[ShawnD]

I don't post very often, but shooting with an umbrella is something I do a lot of. Typically I shoot high school soccer and football in the rain using long lenses and frequently with two cameras, . . . and an umbrella. The trick is to wear a jacket with an inside pocket and make sure your umbrella has a rubber grip. Stick the grip in the pocket and zip up the jacket, now your hands free. Of course, heavy wind can be a pain.

My long lens with body attached is on a mono pod and my short lens with body attached is hanging around my neck. If I go to the short lens, typically a 70-200, I use the top of my long lens as a camera support.

Not ideal, but it works.

[Donald]

It's an essential skill to master in the Highlands of Scotland - shooting with an umbrella If you only shot when it wasn't raining, you wouldn't have many photos.

[AlwaysOnAuto]

Rain really hasn't been much of a problem here in Southern California for oh, a couple of years now at least. Dang it.

[davidedric]

Don't know - never done it Even though it rains over 200 days in the year here.

[Ken MT]

I guess that means that it doesn't rain for upto 165 days in the year, or 166 in leap year

[rpcrowe]

I have a small umbrella that attaches to the tripod socket of a camera. I have never used it i the rain and actually only used it once to shade the lens as I got a specific shot into the sun in a Utah National Park...

[William W]

I think that when at a sports fixture or arranged outdoor social function shoot an umbrella is a reasonable bit of gear to consider carrying, but, if you’re casually walking around, or on holiday, less is more.

A good quality light weight waterproof jacket (like those available from outdoor, mountaineering and hiking shops) is an invaluable tool.

When at rest you can secure the camera inside it, and when active use it as a cover-all over you head and the camera.

made with as described -



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WW

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[rpcrowe]

Believe it or not - it occasionally rains in Southern California. However, it rains so seldom that protective gear for my camera is not at the top of my agenda...

But, during a 10-day trip to Alaska's Kenai Peninsula, it rained every single day. The residents called that time, "The year summer forgot to come" I was quite decently equipped for the trip and besides my Gortex parka, I used a Kata rain cover for my Canon DSLR. The Kata kept me shooting in the rain and kept my camera and lens dry...

My buddy with a nice salmon he caught on the Kenai River..