Rain: Howto: I've looked but can't find. How do I photograph to include rain? I want a normal shot but one that shows the rain coming down- not just the subject. Thanks in advance

sjrw Loc: Gunnislake, Cornwall, UK

I've looked but can't find.
How do I photograph to include rain? I want a normal shot but one that shows the rain coming down- not just the subject.
Thanks in advance - I know someone out there will know. I shoot D90 with either 17-55 2.8 DX or 70-200 2.8.

boydimages Loc: California

sjrw wrote:

I've looked but can't find.
How do I photograph to include rain? I want a normal shot but one that shows the rain coming down- not just the subject.
Thanks in advance - I know someone out there will know. I shoot D90 with either 17-55 2.8 DX or 70-200 2.8.

Play with your shutter speed. 1/60th -1/30th and you should see streaks from the drops. What you see will depend on how fast the drops are falling and how big the drops are. Also remember the drops/streaks will be light in color so having a somewhat dark background will make them show more.

rpavich Loc: West Virginia

Do you mean adding artificial rain?

Here is a tut with Gavin Hoey doing it.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dqqi7ZqSwT4

rmalarz Loc: Tempe, Arizona

sjrw wrote:

I've looked but can't find.
How do I photograph to include rain? I want a normal shot but one that shows the rain coming down- not just the subject.
Thanks in advance - I know someone out there will know. I shoot D90 with either 17-55 2.8 DX or 70-200 2.8.

In a real rainstorm, 1/60 sec. exposure. That will put just enough blur of the rain drops to see them. Next, it's best to have a darker background due to the fact that the drops will be lighter. That's about it.
--Bob

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

rpavich wrote:

Do you mean adding artificial rain?

Here is a tut with Gavin Hoey doing it.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dqqi7ZqSwT4

He makes it look so easy.

Pictxterowner 3 D sbs

sjrw wrote:

I've looked but can't find.
How do I photograph to include rain? I want a normal shot but one that shows the rain coming down- not just the subject.
Thanks in advance - I know someone out there will know. I shoot D90 with either 17-55 2.8 DX or 70-200 2.8.

The burst from the flash causes a flare, I cant see rain in my pictures without flash. The closer drops appear to travel faster. rebel T3 15-85

rain

Pictxterowner 3 D sbs

This proves my BBQ Grill is shaped like a raindrop :)

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

Pictxterowner wrote:

The burst from the flash causes a flare, I cant see rain in my pictures without flash. The closer drops appear to travel faster. rebel T3 15-85

It looks like the rain is going up.

Pictxterowner 3 D sbs

jerryc41 wrote:

It looks like the rain is going up.

Yes the initial blast of the flash fades away as the drop goes down.

jdubu Loc: San Jose, CA

Pictxterowner wrote:

Yes the initial blast of the flash fades away as the drop goes down.

Second curtain flash setting will eliminate that reversal of gravity.

rogerl Loc: UK (Harrogate, North Yorkshire)

Here's one taken with a P & S Panasonic TZ30 (UK designation - US is different -ZS20?). I just pointed & shot - although it rated inclusion on our local news weather forecast (the presenter asks for weather photos & shows 1 - 3 of them before his weather maps). f5.5 1/200 ISO (auto) 1600. I'm certainly not claiming its a wonderful photo (that's the family trying to shelter!

RetiredPhotog Loc: South West Ohio

Just shot some rain the other day, ISO 1600, 105 mm at f5.6 for 1/125 sec for this pic.

cockney greg Loc: London E17

I read an article recently,(can't remember where)about shooting rain and fountains etc. Apparently you need a light source behind the rain, so in effect it comes toward/across the camera and catches the back of the droplets.

sjrw Loc: Gunnislake, Cornwall, UK

rogerl wrote:

Here's one taken with a P & S Panasonic TZ30 (UK designation - US is different -ZS20?). I just pointed & shot - although it rated inclusion on our local news weather forecast (the presenter asks for weather photos & shows 1 - 3 of them before his weather maps). f5.5 1/200 ISO (auto) 1600. I'm certainly not claiming its a wonderful photo (that's the family trying to shelter!

On the contrary. That's what I want to know how to do. Whenever I shoot rain it turns into a messy picture.

sjrw Loc: Gunnislake, Cornwall, UK

RetiredPhotog wrote:

Just shot some rain the other day, ISO 1600, 105 mm at f5.6 for 1/125 sec for this pic.

I need to keep plodding. I've tried quite a few different settings with no success. You and the shot above make it look easy.