Walking Forum

Main Boards => Photography => Topic started by: Rob Goes Walking on 21:27:54, 01/11/18

Title: What do you do about the rain?
Post by: Rob Goes Walking on 21:27:54, 01/11/18
What do you do when it's raining? The views from a summit are really spoilt by the rain. Do you take photos of different things? I like photographing my walks and the rain really spoilt this aspect of it for me. Do you choose a different sort of walk? What do you look for in a rainy day walk to get some decent photos?
Title: Re: What do you do about the rain?
Post by: sussamb on 21:37:44, 01/11/18
Can't help I'm afraid as I rarely take photographs.  I enjoy the rain ... although I prefer not to have it constantly on a LDW but am quite happy if it's a day walk.
Title: Re: What do you do about the rain?
Post by: tenmilesplus on 23:57:59, 01/11/18
Depends what you are shooting with ? Phone ? Compact ? DSLR ?

  Waterproof cases can be bought for Compact and DSLR, most phones are showerproof as long as they are in a case..

  I have used Phone in the rain by leaving it in the case and be very quick, get it back in the pocket immediately, also DSLR which is a D3100  so not waterproof but again be quick, or put it in a plastic bag can be effective once you've faffed around for a while. There are so much waterproof image storing devices around that it is not much of a problem any more..
Title: Re: What do you do about the rain?
Post by: Rob Goes Walking on 05:55:11, 02/11/18
I wasn't clear about what I meant. I mean the views I usually shoot are all misty looking and no good not that I can't take any photos at all, look at this shot for example:


(http://i64.tinypic.com/6tp6hd.jpg)
Title: Re: What do you do about the rain?
Post by: ninthace on 07:32:47, 02/11/18
Avoid it as far as possible. I don’t enjoy walking in the rain.
Title: Re: What do you do about the rain?
Post by: April on 08:44:14, 02/11/18
I don't take as many photos in the rain, there is no point most of the time if the views aren't good. And your camera gets wet. If it is showery rain I tend to take shots while the rain has stopped. If the cloud is low and the fells are hidden, I take shots of a nice tree maybe or a beck, the summit cairn or trig etc. Tomorrow doesn't look like a good day for photos so it might be a short trip report this week  :(
Title: Re: What do you do about the rain?
Post by: Dovegirl on 09:10:41, 02/11/18
I agree with April that it's better to go for close-up photos when it's rainy. The tracery of the leafless branches of a tree can look beautiful against a grey sky. I like taking photos of berries and wildflowers too. But yes, it's very disappointing when the wider views are obscured.
Title: Re: What do you do about the rain?
Post by: Jac on 10:55:24, 02/11/18
I wasn't clear about what I meant. I mean the views I usually shoot are all misty looking and no good not that I can't take any photos at all, look at this shot for example:


(http://i64.tinypic.com/6tp6hd.jpg)



I call these atmospheric
Title: Re: What do you do about the rain?
Post by: Mel on 12:56:07, 02/11/18
Have to agree with April, Dovegirl and Jac above  O0
Title: Re: What do you do about the rain?
Post by: Bigfoot_Mike on 18:01:42, 02/11/18
I would wait until you see the potential for a good photograph. In the digital era it is easy to click away without no cost (except time) and no limit on the number of pictures. In the film era, the film and processing cost money and there were only 24 or 36 frames on a film. That used to focus the mind and make us more selective. I think you will find that after a period of time you will work out what you like and then only shoot when you see what you want. No photo is wasted though, as at the least you will be identifying what worked and what didn’t. This will make the next time more successful, particularly if you revisit places.
Title: Re: What do you do about the rain?
Post by: tenmilesplus on 23:17:04, 02/11/18
I wasn't clear about what I meant. I mean the views I usually shoot are all misty looking and no good not that I can't take any photos at all, look at this shot for example:


(http://i64.tinypic.com/6tp6hd.jpg)

 Do you use phone or DSLR or compact ?
Title: Re: What do you do about the rain?
Post by: Rob Goes Walking on 23:26:59, 02/11/18
Do you use phone or DSLR or compact ?

LG G4 phone, it was rated the best camera phone of 2015 by reviews I read but it's not a dedicated camera.

I've considered buying a camera and taking it to the next level but although it isn't as good as a camera it's usually good enough for me.
Title: Re: What do you do about the rain?
Post by: archaeoroutes on 18:45:25, 03/11/18
When clagged in, the occasional moody shot of people or dramatic rocky edges. Around rain showers you can get some good atmospheric shots.
Title: Re: What do you do about the rain?
Post by: Bigfoot_Mike on 18:53:44, 03/11/18
LG G4 phone, it was rated the best camera phone of 2015 by reviews I read but it's not a dedicated camera.

I've considered buying a camera and taking it to the next level but although it isn't as good as a camera it's usually good enough for me.


The time to upgrade your camera is when you have outgrown your current one. As you seem happy with your pictures at the moment, it would suggest you don’t need to change quite yet. As you take more pictures you may decide that your current camera is lacking in certain aspects. That will help you decide what you need in your next camera.
Title: Re: What do you do about the rain?
Post by: Rob Goes Walking on 19:28:52, 03/11/18
As you seem happy with your pictures at the moment, it would suggest you don’t need to change quite yet. As you take more pictures you may decide that your current camera is lacking in certain aspects. That will help you decide what you need in your next camera.

I'm not entirely happy with them (camera wise), I notice more detail in some other peoples photos plus I wonder how much better the photos would look if I could play around with them in Lightroom. Plus there's more control with a proper camera but I'd have to learn how to make best use of that. I also have a habit of putting my finger across the camera phone's lens which I'd be less likely to do with a proper camera but Barclaycard are already throwing a party with my recent walking purchases I'm not sure I can justify a new camera when they're good enough to remember my walk.
Title: Re: What do you do about the rain?
Post by: Bigfoot_Mike on 19:58:28, 03/11/18
I'm not entirely happy with them (camera wise), I notice more detail in some other peoples photos plus I wonder how much better the photos would look if I could play around with them in Lightroom. Plus there's more control with a proper camera but I'd have to learn how to make best use of that. I also have a habit of putting my finger across the camera phone's lens which I'd be less likely to do with a proper camera but Barclaycard are already throwing a party with my recent walking purchases I'm not sure I can justify a new camera when they're good enough to remember my walk.


It sounds like you know where you want to improve. A good place to start migh5 be a second hand DSLR. Camera bodies lose their value very quickly, so some good deals can be found. You won’t need the latest camera to get more detail and control than your phone. There are also a lot of free online resources that can help you learn to improve. I can point you to a very helpful photography forum, but I am not sure if this forum’s rules allow me to do that. I can always PM you a link if you are interested.
Title: Re: What do you do about the rain?
Post by: Rob Goes Walking on 20:20:25, 03/11/18
It sounds like you know where you want to improve. A good place to start migh5 be a second hand DSLR. Camera bodies lose their value very quickly, so some good deals can be found. You won’t need the latest camera to get more detail and control than your phone.

My camera is good enough for me really my photos don't have to be the best to please me. I think I will upgrade but not yet. Do I really need a DSLR or would a compact be suitable? At the moment I don't know enough to make use of a DSLR so I might as well just get a compact. I don't know how much difference it would make to the kind of photos I take or if I'd start taking different photos. Good call on second hand, hadn't thought of that.

There are also a lot of free online resources that can help you learn to improve. I can point you to a very helpful photography forum, but I am not sure if this forum’s rules allow me to do that. I can always PM you a link if you are interested.

Sure, PM me. I can lurk around and learn a few things before making any decisions and taking the plunge.
Title: Re: What do you do about the rain?
Post by: sunnydale on 06:50:55, 04/11/18
When clagged in, the occasional moody shot of people or dramatic rocky edges. Around rain showers you can get some good atmospheric shots.


Yes, I agree with this...although if it's raining heavily for prolonged periods, my camera stays in my rucksack (in a plastic bag) where it's dry and safe!
I like it when the sky looks 'moody', especially when set against the colours of Autumn 8)
Title: Re: What do you do about the rain?
Post by: tenmilesplus on 11:10:31, 07/11/18
A compact is a good move, the problem is that there are so many different ones at different prices and qualities.. It's not always a case of spend much to get much.. I tried cheap ones but the technology is poor, slow to react, poor quality images, iffy colour reproduction etc.. I even had a camera where the view finder image was slightly different to what was captured. My advice would be to buy from a well known outlet, but there are issues with this, there are very few proper outlets anymore and you will pay more but the advice will be free and they will not sell anything unreliable as it will cause problems for them. I bought a Nikon D3100 to play around with and I thought I was doing well with it until I played with my mates Canon which gave  poor results, I realised it was because the D3100 was entry level and was compensating for my lack of talent.. I bought a used D80 as a 'next step' camera and have found it easier to use because it isn't constantly trying to 'compensate' for me.. Entry level DSLR do produce great images in the same way a compact will but a DSLR has the advantage of lens changes and flexibility in the settings although compacts have tried the lens change route..  My advice would be to look around at plenty of reviews and to go back 5 years or so to find a good quality compact and see if you gat get a discounted new or lightly used second hand one. Try to get one with standard batteries and carry spares, also carry spare SD cards. My Wife has a cheap Samsung that is 10 years old and it still produces great images and quite often they are better than the DSLR ones.. It is easy to be put off if you spend little money and the image are crap the same goes for spending loads of money and get lost in the confusion of the different adjustments, so a trip to a local camera shop is the best place to go, or visit a local camera club ? There are two ways of being able to get your hands on different cameras, get a 'feel' for what suits your hand and to try the different settings.. Image quality is Key here and just because a product says 20Megga pixels doesn't mean the image quality will be good, I have an old Sony Cybershot that is 2MP and it takes great pics.. As will anything quality will win through.. Welcome to a mine field...
 
I will take pics in the rain, I like to try and catch sun rays coming through clouds, reflections in puddles / rivers / lakes, I love clouds and the shapes and colours.. try a few easy tricks like capturing a raindrop on a leaf or ripples in a puddle or something similar..
Title: Re: What do you do about the rain?
Post by: fit old bird on 11:50:33, 07/11/18
I've been using a Fujifilm for a long time, which was ok for me, it's simple enough. Now I have a Cannon 1XUS, much better, colours are clearer, bolder, but I am struggling to get to grips with all the features, so I revert back to the Fujifilm for the videos.


I don't take many pictures in the rain, unless I see something stunning, or unusual, or interesting. If I need to I shelter under my umbrella.


ilona
Title: Re: What do you do about the rain?
Post by: Strider on 17:47:36, 07/11/18
If you can't photograph the scenery, take a summit selfie looking all drenched and windswept ;)
Title: Re: What do you do about the rain?
Post by: fernman on 18:02:32, 07/11/18
Having had two beloved digital compacts ruined from getting wet, can I impress upon anyone thinking of buying a pouch for one to take any claims of it being "waterproof" with a pinch of salt.
Most that are offered as such are breaking the Trade Descriptions Act.

I've tried rolling the camera up in a plastic bag but found it still gets wet putting it back, particularly with wet hands. I currently use a ridiculously expensive stormproof pouch that does the job, simply drop the camera in by its little strap after use, with minimal handling. There are also clear plastic pouches available, I've not tried one but check the reviews, some seem to be OK, some not.

Have to agree with tenmilesplus's comments. My above-mentioned ruined cameras (Ricoh CX3 and CX6) gave lovely results with sharp shots and vibrant colours. I replaced the last with a Sony Cybershot at about £160-ish, all I could afford at the time, and by comparison its pictures are really drab even after editing, particularly the greens.
Title: Re: What do you do about the rain?
Post by: fernman on 18:04:23, 07/11/18
If you can't photograph the scenery, take a summit selfie looking all drenched and windswept ;)

I have one like that, it belongs in the "Face of Fatigue" thread  ;D but I'm not going to post it!
Title: Re: What do you do about the rain?
Post by: Rob Goes Walking on 18:14:59, 07/11/18
Thanks guys. Some good advice and experience there.

If you can't photograph the scenery, take a summit selfie looking all drenched and windswept ;)

I like that, it would make a better selfie than my only current summit selfie (don't think it counts as a selfie actually since I asked a handy walker who was already at the summit when I arrived to take it), almost enough to get me back out in the rain...


Title: Re: What do you do about the rain?
Post by: Rob Goes Walking on 18:17:10, 07/11/18
I have one like that, it belongs in the "Face of Fatigue" thread  ;D but I'm not going to post it!

There should be a summit selfie thread.
Title: Re: What do you do about the rain?
Post by: Owen on 20:21:13, 07/11/18

Come rain.(https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8018/28940148113_3bb3d57736_z.jpg) (http://)IMG_0291 (https://flic.kr/p/L6kPLV) by Owen Merrick (https://www.flickr.com/photos/owenmerricksphotos/), on Flickr
Come snow.
(https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8185/29483308171_98008b051c_z.jpg) (http://)IMG_0377 (https://flic.kr/p/LVkEkv) by Owen Merrick (https://www.flickr.com/photos/owenmerricksphotos/), on Flickr
There always something to photograph.
(https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8159/28939042544_c588cc1bfa_z.jpg) (http://)IMG_0678 (https://flic.kr/p/L6fa8o) by Owen Merrick (https://www.flickr.com/photos/owenmerricksphotos/), on Flickr
Even if it's just yourself.


These were taken with a small waterproof compact, a Canon 30D which isn't made anymore but there are other around which are just as good. I believe Olympus make a very good one.

Title: Re: What do you do about the rain?
Post by: sunnydale on 09:24:14, 09/11/18
Took these pics on the Great Ridge on Thursday. The weather was generally awful that day....but there were still some 'oooh!' moments where the camera just had to come out.....


(https://scontent-lht6-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/45707985_2205386892813386_5326508480746487808_n.jpg?_nc_cat=104&_nc_eui2=AeGS97u7rK_71_SdKhTUm4TlY3w3gC_pOg08XU9iEiX4LcTPwbIQQvsac1YUVfu9S7rSH84TydMOllfhgo5JNxbAd9O7lJD24d_JmZl3VOjM2Q&_nc_ht=scontent-lht6-1.xx&oh=bb8eb3f4aad88dd1bb4b8d48965f5dc1&oe=5C3E70FC)



(https://scontent-lht6-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/45687961_2205386922813383_798819038942724096_n.jpg?_nc_cat=107&_nc_eui2=AeF2ZbI028pRwl8jnJF1EYUko6kCND3qip1g6FqzOIrNeOGzs4ohpFTUP_jWawyjfUzU9-JQ1VlXlVvF59HmI_KpVsVTTu4i--rAFyyjP5oiWw&_nc_ht=scontent-lht6-1.xx&oh=cb39615eca4b1db47178753f7b0e974b&oe=5C6E0108)


(https://scontent-lht6-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/45645079_2205386972813378_6291802118529482752_n.jpg?_nc_cat=101&_nc_eui2=AeF9VhHdnqSYFdbfsBcmxLpLzH8tYSFK780fvLranVO8lrexRNx7qT4YFBTYbhV1ozpIjA-vkBJdNPUVJd1ZF8_NxDsnRZWCQ3PQLB8ERmj3UA&_nc_ht=scontent-lht6-1.xx&oh=21114dc4b7bd44d9fc45715bba084505&oe=5C3F376F)


This is my favourite of the day....


(https://scontent-lht6-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/45717271_2205387046146704_8115617357520437248_n.jpg?_nc_cat=104&_nc_eui2=AeH_KbpC5TqVhezfRS_p8dr1QOfl8Mjk8ionSD4_Ln1PvXFQD9gZIMdCq-LL59UdUqhwhbweghC2qnHaanNSAlxkms34Iq-AyzoKWCF9fwxrvg&_nc_ht=scontent-lht6-1.xx&oh=ea91adafa2c0d73c1af7a65527fce155&oe=5C88DAFF)
Title: Re: What do you do about the rain?
Post by: Dovegirl on 14:13:27, 09/11/18
Lovely photos of the rainbow, sunnydale    :)