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Photography In Less Than Perfect Weather
By Ron Colbroth
www.roncolbroth.com
We all love the light of the early morning or late afternoon because with wonderful light we can make great photographs.
Most people who love photography probably would agree that on a beautiful day, they are more apt to jump out of bed
before the crack of dawn or be just a little late for dinner. Why? Just because the light is ideal for photography.
Most of us, and I include myself, don't think about getting out bed in the early morning, when the weather forecast
is rain, pea soup fog, freezing cold, snow or similar weather. Well, we might all think about making an exception for
snow because it so beautiful, but even snow can be difficult to work in, depending on the intensity and consistency of
the snowfall. So, even though the weather isn't perfect on some mornings, there are some wonderful photographs to be
taken if you just make the effort.
Several years ago I had the opportunity to live in Honolulu for a few years. Hawaii is an interesting place to the live
because the weather is almost always perfect.Weather forecasters can give one forecast for the entire year, only varying
the temperature by a few degrees from summer to winter. The forecast of sunny with windward and mauka (mountain) showers
and a temperature variation of 75-85 degrees F. will make a weatherman right about 90% of the time - unless you invite
mainland friends to come, with the inticement that there is never any real rain (mostly showers) only to have torrential
rains for seven of the ten days tha they visit. Truthfully, such beautiful weather makes you long for a little rain
(not torrential) or for a chill in the air. So, when I had the pleasure of spending a week in Joshua Tree National
Park in November, while still living in Honolulu, I was extremely excited, especially when there was a chance for
snow while I was there. Although it didn't snow, the mornings were cold and crisp and those mornings made me realize
how much I had missed even a little change in the weather.
Fog has always been my favorite weather for photography. There is a mystery to photographing in fog that makes it
unpredictable. Subjects can appear out of the mist and change entire photographs. A perfect example is the photograph
of Middleton Place, Charleston, SC, on my website. I arrived very early to find fog and set up my tripod thinking the
house with the live oaks would be an interesting photo. Since a lot of photography is waiting for the right shot to
present itself, I waited patiently for some kind of change. Suddenly a woman who worked at Middleton Place just walked
under the live oaks, and I knew I had my shot. Then, almost on cue I heard the thunder of hoofs and turned around just
in time to photograph a small herd of horses breaking through the fog behind me. Fog is magical, especially when it is
very thick and nothing is visible. It can slowly open up and reveal an interesting new world.
Snow, like beautiful light, can change a landscape. Ordinary objects can be transformed into works of art with snow.
Take the photograph of the tire tracks, for example. Just as the snow started to fall, I stepped out of my house to
see this scene in front of me. Normally I wouldn't pay to much attention to a car turning around in this spot, but here
was a wonderful color photograph that looks like B&W with real geometric flair. Of course not all photographs during a
snowstorm will lend themselves to a nice simple geometric pattern, so looking for contrasts will help. Examples can be
people with umbrellas, cars with maybe just a red or yellow taillight popping out, neon signs, or any everyday item that
adds color and texture to your photographs. Always have a nice soft cloth handy to keep the camera and filter free of
snow.
Photography in the rain can be rewarding as well. Dressing for the weather and making sure your cameras are protected will
make the experience a little more tolerable. Keeping yourself dry is probably the easiest, since there is a ton of
waterproof rain gear available from various manufactuers. When buying rain gear that you are going to use for photography,
make sure there is some room to tuck the camera inside to protect it from the elements if need be. To protect the lens,
always use a filter. I usually use just a skylight filter. Protecting the camera is essential, especially if the rain is
heavy. Making a protective covering for your camera is easy enough. Use a clear plastic bag that is large enough for your
camera and your hands to slip into for camera operation. Once you slip the camera in the bag, cut a hole in the plastic
bag for the lens and the viewfinder and tape the plastic bag at both those points. Since changing lens is more difficult
in this situation, I like to just take one lens (preferably a zoom lens for more flexibilty). I love wide angle lens, and
if I am shooting in a city, I will walk around with a wide angle zoom. It seems to do the trick. If I decide to walk on a
nature trail, I love to take a telephoto zoom lens with close up capabilities for various wildlife, birds, and flowers.
If the rain is light or even moderate, I might not worry about shrouding it in plastic because, truthfully, most cameras
are more rugged than you think. Of course I am not advocating just sticking it out in the rain - just protect inside a
coat or shirt. Remember as mentioned before keep a cloth handy. . If you need to change lenses, duck under an awning or
in a doorway or under a tree (not during a thunderstorm) and protect your camera with your body. If you follow these
rules, you will find some great photos.
Cold weather photography is fun too. It is less than perfect weather only because it's cold. I am not talking about Arctic
cold but down to zero Farenheit or so. The main thing is to keep your camera and yourself warm. A few years ago I spent a
couple of weeks in Minneapolis in January. To say it was cold is an understatement. I thought I was prepared. I was wrong.
Well, I was prepared if I never wanted to take a photograph. Nearby the hotel was a art museum designed by Frank Gehry.
Everyday brought something new as the sun set. I remember wanting to photograph it everyday and most days were fine but
cold. One day was colder than normal and photographing the building was quite a challenge since one rule I didn't follow
was to bring the proper gloves. I only had a pair of woolen gloves, and I couldn't operate the camera while wearing them.
The only solution was to take the gloves off, take four or five shots, put the gloves on and wait approximately twenty
minutes for my hands to warm again. Needless to say I didn't get too many shots that evening, but it taught me to wear
liners in my gloves or fingertip-less gloves as undergloves.
When the weather is less than perfect, most people don't think about photography, but getting out with a camera when the
weather is rainy, snowy, foggy or a little too cold can be rewarding. Some days you will go out and come back with
nothing that you are pleased with. In Hawaii the weather isn't always perfect, but many times after a good rain, there
is a rainbow. Just finding yourself at the right place and the right time: priceless.
Ron Colbroth's Bio
View Ron Colbroth's Wesite: www.roncolbroth.com
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