Nature Photography in the Rain

Summer is the wet season in Florida. Nearly every day, we can expect at least some afternoon showers, and when a weather system parks itself over top of us like it has this week, we may have more rain than sun for days on end (an unusual experience for folks in the Sunshine State!). Rainy weather may slow down some wildlife, but for the most part, the natural world continues to go about its regular business. This can be a great time for nature photography, as long as you follow a few basic tips.

Protect your camera’s lens. Most cameras can stand a little moisture, but if your lens gets rain drops on it, you’ll have to stop to clean it, which means you’ll miss your shot. Use a lens hood on a higher-end camera, attach an umbrella to a tripod, or simply keep the front of the camera pointed down a bit and away from the wind.

Use your macro settings. Raindrops on roses make for lovely nature photography shots. Emphasize the up-close beauty by using the macro setting on your camera, which allows you to capture detail.

Look for unusual shots. Water droplets can magnify detail, or a sheet of rain can lend a filtered look to a shot. The best nature photography looks at usual subjects in an unusual way – use rainy weather as a chance to see the world a little bit differently.

Capture rainy day behavior. Animals adjust their routines in rainy weather. Find butterflies taking shelter, or get a few shots of the rain sliding off a duck’s back (it really does happen).

Enjoy nature photography? Get more ideas from The Ultimate Guide to Backyard Bird Photography by clicking here!