Shooting in the rain?

[chauncey87]

Are there any tricks to shooting in the (light, obviously) rain and/or overcast skies?

Namely, is there anything I could've done better in these 17 shots? Or is rain just a wash (no pun intended) all the time?

[bnsf sammy]

Rain just makes a cloudy day of normal, common power which is normally not accepted. Most of those shots were rejected for being too dark as opposed to coudy day.

[Donna]

chauncey87

If you are trying to take pictures in the rain for this site, then I would just give up that idea. I do think pictures in the rain and all kinds of weather are great. Rain pictures seem to add something more to a picture of a train like fog does, a sort of mystery. It tells a more intriguing story when you look at it. Keep up the good work.

[Gordon Graham]

I have 2 photos that are taken on a rainy day .
Althought the lighting are not so good ,
they got accepted .

PhotoID: 127423 Photograph © Gordon Graham

PhotoID: 131453 Photograph © Gordon Graham

[ddavies]

Try standing a little bit more away from the tracks, so you see more of the train than just the nose. Most of the images suffer more than just being too dark.

[Andrew Blaszczyk (2)]

Naturally cloudy day (rainy day) shots will be dark therefore its a good idea to slightly overexpose the photo. By doing this you may lose color but the subject will be brighter. Im not saying this will make the photo acceptable if it is of common power but it takes care of the "too dark" rejects. When it is cloudy w or w/o rain try to gain elevation and inclue as little sky as possible. To make the shot somewhat more acceptable make the scene more interesting by trying new angles (maybe ones that arent available in sun (i.e. treed in areas)), include something other than the train in the frame (i.e signal bridge or farm equipment to name a few), and also try to catch something rare to increase acceptability. Heavy rain and snow if focused properly can also make very moody and dramatic photos so try different things in different weather. You never know what your gonna get!


These tips (not the overexposing tip) should be followed even in sunny weather to make the photo more interesting IMO.

PhotoID: 127620 Photograph © Andrew Blaszczyk (2)

Overexposed 1+ and higher elevation for less sky.

PhotoID: 104468 Photograph © Andrew Blaszczyk (2)

Overexposed 1+ and interesting composition.

[busyEMT]

Another idea is to slow down the shutter. This will make the rain "streak". Not only adding interest to the feel of the photo, but also will make it obvious the inclement weather.

[Crusader]

chauncey -
Being from the Philly area myself, I can sympathize. Trying to get a vibrant and dynamic photo of gray equipment (Septa, NJT, or Amtrak) on a gray day is a real challenge.

From what I'm reading, you're getting some real sound advice.

Best of luck.

[trainmonster]

I like this one-I lightened it a little and attached it. I would do that, resubmit it and make a comment to the screener to the affect that you lightened it.

If I know that area, I don't think it ever gets any sun... you're at the end of the station platform, right? I'd comment that also. It is an interesting pic with the bridge structure and all. Any more lightening and you'd wreck the nose of the train. I'd comment that too.

BTW, this one: http://www.railpictures.net/viewreject.php?id=210822 is a nice shot also, cloudy or not.

Rich

[chauncey87]

Thanks for the advice.

-trainmonster: thanks, I'll re-submit it.

-I did try lowering the shutter quite a few times that day, and the results were poor with motion...and it was kinda hard to set up for a decent composition while the train was sitting still, especially at stations with low patronage where it took off almost immediately after I got off.

-I've never gotten a streak effect during the rain, although it did happen once during a heavy snowfall. It was pretty cool.

-I'll try to remember your suggestions, Andrew.