How many times did you go outside to take photos on a rainy day… deliberately? Probably not that often, Yet we can get amazing photos in the rain. That is especially true for urban photography and even more so in a brightly light city such as Tokyo. Our Tokyo resident photo trainer Stéphane has had the “pleasure” to instruct some of you guys on photo workshops in Tokyo. The photos he came back with were beyond what we had imagined. Here is what Stéphane has to say about photographing in the rain.
Be brave
Camera makers spend millions of dollars and countless hours to produce water-resistant gear so that you can go out in all weather conditions and create images that will—hopefully—revolutionize the history of photography. Refusing to get your costly brand new Canon or other Leica is an insult to those engineers geniuses.
Cameras need water
Ooooh my god! There are rain drops on my lens. Quick let me wipe this with my lens cloth. WRONG! Droplets on you lens bring really moody blurry halo of soft light, it’s for free! Make the most of it!
Viva umbrella
What’s better than a beautiful girl for subject? A beautiful girl with a colorful umbrella, of course. Umbrellas, especially in Japan look good in photos. They tend to be either transparent or colorful; sometimes both at the same time. Use them as a foreground, texture, play with their transparency, their colors. Options are endless.
Get low
There is nothing more beautiful than a night urban scene under the rain. The pavement will reflect all the colorful artificial lights. In Japan it often means bathing in a rainbow of vibrant colors. Our tip: get low!
Tap tap tap
There is something very soothing about watching rain drops. Capturing that on camera is even more relaxing. Use high shutter speed to freeze water as it reaches the ground. Find reflective surfaces such as puddles and interesting backdrops such as temples.
Follow Stéphane
For more beautiful photos, make sure to check Stéphane’s website at http://stephane.photo/
