So I have an engagement shoot scheduled for tomorrow and it looks like we will be dealing with rain. Can not change the date due to plenty of circumstances.
How do you guys shoot in the rain? Do you use an umbrella to stand under? I was thinking of rigging an umbrella to my backpack strap with velcro so it stays over my head....
Also, do you guys have any shooting tips for shooting in the rain? Just some general thoughts, as I have never shot in the rain really...
if you can figure out how to make the umbrella stay up without using your hands, I want to know the secret I have a hard time doing both things at the same time and dream of having someone that could just hold an umbrella for me, though I have figured out on ocassion how to hold both my camera and an umbrella at the same time, it's just sort of tricky. I am sure it is easier for those that are strong enough to shoot with one hand, I am not. Since you most likely don't have a rain cover for your gear, you could fashion one out of a garbage bag, though a clear bag is even better.
The bride and I just finished an email exchange, and she seems to have some ideas boiling up already and is pretty excited for the rain shoot. We had already done one engagement shoot during a beautiful clear day, so she thinks the great contrast between the two sets will be a positive.
Any suggestions for covering my gear? I normally shoot with pretty short lenses, not long zooms or anything.
When my son was home for a couple of weeks from Iraq, he and his wife wanted some pictures. It was raining, so we went to the old courthouse square and used the building's large covered entrance way and umbrellas for shelter.
For an engagement shoot in the rain, I recommend taking a look at the first set here from Sam Hassas. I'm not recommending you try to copy him but I think looking through the set should help fire you up creatively.
The bride and I just finished an email exchange, and she seems to have some ideas boiling up already and is pretty excited for the rain shoot. We had already done one engagement shoot during a beautiful clear day, so she thinks the great contrast between the two sets will be a positive.
Any suggestions for covering my gear? I normally shoot with pretty short lenses, not long zooms or anything.
sherijohnson wrote:
if you can figure out how to make the umbrella stay up without using your hands, I want to know the secret
Use your camera on a monopod and connect the umbrella to the monopod. I recently was told this trick by another photographer and I couldn't believe I had never thought of it before or seen it done before.
If it's raining but NOT windy you might be able to rig the umbrella up to a tripod and still retain your mobility by not having the camera on the tripod itself.
Frankly I'd definitely try to hook up with an assistant though... nothing beats having an extra set of hands there... especially when dealing with some sort of adversity
I was shooting a bike polo championship game that was held during some of the most TORRENTIAL rains I have ever experienced and had to resort to using that trick. The catch- It showed no sign of rain before it started downpouring (I had failed to check the weather) and I had to attempt to hold my 50D with an umbrella on a monopod with a 70-200f/2.8 on it, and it was soooo difficult balancing it!
I am currently devising a way to rig the umbrella to my camera backpack, as I am planning on carrying my lenses in my water resistant messenger bag so I could just leave the pseudo-framed-backpack-with-umbrella-attached on the entire time.
Thanks for the great advice guys!
BKPhotography- Tell me about it! I have been aching to shoot ANYTHING portrait-wise at that site, and when the bride suggested it I responded with a resounding "Yes!"
Notlisy- I wish I could find someone willing to accompany me there, but it is a reschedule already, and due to some circumstances beyond our control (The bride has a blog and it won a contest resulting in her being featured "Bride Blogger" of the year, so she needs the photos ASAP) I am unable to find anyone to assist in such short notice.
Keep your eyes peeled for my dreary/rainy E-Shoot coming soon (Tomorrow), and thanks again for the good suggestions and ideas!
For rainy shoots (I used to shoot horse shows in rain - although I used a 1Ds2 for the horse stuff and it's pretty weather resistant, I don't take chances!) I take a gallon ziploc back, and cut a hole in the sealed in to poke the lens through. Barely. Then the rest of the bag covers the camera and the sealable end is nice and wide so your hands can work around the camera like normal. Always worked like a charm for me...
I have a hard time doing both things at the same time and dream of having someone that could just hold an umbrella for me, though I have figured out on ocassion how to hold both my camera and an umbrella at the same time, it's just sort of tricky. I am sure it is easier for those that are strong enough to shoot with one hand, I am not. Since you most likely don't have a rain cover for your gear, you could fashion one out of a garbage bag, though a clear bag is even better.
