Tips for Shooting Landscape Photos in Heavy Rainfall

A major challenge with landscape photography is how we are totally at nature’s mercy. The weather, lighting and subject aren’t under our control. Rain in particular is a common factor that frequently shows up to cause trouble. Working in the rain makes everything so much more difficult; to add to the misery, we have to be extra careful with all our gear in the field. In today’s video, landscape photographer Mads Peter Iversen shows us how he works while it’s raining:

If you’re ever planning to go out in the rain to take photos, first of all, make sure that your camera and lens are weather-resistant. While it is not recommended that you go out during heavy downpours, weather-resistant gear can handle light to moderate drizzles comfortably. Also, be sure to keep yourself safe from getting wet by wearing appropriate clothing. You won’t be able to think and work properly if you’re drenched.

There are a few other problems we normally face when taking photos in the rain:

  • Insufficient light
  • Raindrops constantly falling on the front element of the lens
  • Water droplets distracting the autofocus system

You can tackle the light issue by playing around with the exposure triangle. Set the aperture based on the depth of field you’ll require and adjust the shutter speed and ISO accordingly. And remember, don’t be afraid to leave the base ISO. Your camera will do just fine. As for the latter two challenges, Iversen uses some simple tricks to make the workflow easier—you can watch the video to find out what they are.

Don’t forget to watch the epic final photograph that he takes of himself in the Faroe Islands in the rain—it’s a sight to behold.

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