Don’t Let Poor Weather Stop You

We have all been there as landscape photographers: the alarm goes off, we hear rain or wind blowing against our windows, we glance at the clock, and go back to bed. But by doing so, you may miss out on unique photography opportunities! Don’t let poor weather keep you inside.

Last weekend, I planned to visit one of my favorite semi-local parks. I was ready for some photography time and a video I wanted to record, and the park would make the perfect backdrop. I’d been watching the weather forecast for several days before my planned visit. The forecast called for rain, though most of it appeared to be coming in the middle of the night and moving out before I arrived.

As the day drew closer, though, the weather shifted, and that front carrying the rain with it changed its timing to the morning hours I wanted to be there. I had been excited about rain in the middle of the night, which would help fill the waterfalls in the area, but photographing in the rain? I had mixed feelings about that.

The afternoon before, I charged my camera batteries, prepared my memory cards, and packed my camera bag. It was almost routine as I kept checking the weather forecast, which still showed the timing of the rain wasn’t favorable for me. I went to bed later that evening with the alarm set for an early morning wake-up so I could make the drive.

The Next Morning

Bleary-eyed, I woke up to my alarm and looked outside. It was raining. Should I just turn off the alarm, or do I make my coffee, grab my things, and start the drive?

Routine won over, and I got out of bed, made my coffee, loaded up the car, and made the trek to the location in the pre-dawn hours. Driving through overcast skies and rain along the way, I eventually arrived with the rain turning into more of a drizzle despite the prior evening’s forecast. Finishing my prep for a wet morning out, I set off down the trail, hiking the wet path to the first waterfall of the morning.

It Was Fantastic

There was no one else on the trails. Even the parking lot was empty. I had the place to myself, and I had it that way for nearly two hours before I saw my first person. For a location that is typically fairly busy by mid-morning, it was quite relaxing to have the place to myself, really focus on my photography, and not worry about dodging people.

Not only was it peaceful with no other people around, but because of the weather—rain and a light mist in the gorges I was in—I saw familiar scenes in an entirely different light. As I was hiking along a familiar part of the trail, a rock and tree formation that I’ve passed hundreds of times caught my eye, and I composed a photograph. Wet rock, bright green hemlocks from the rain, and a mist hanging low with a bit of light filtering in from the sky—a scene I would not have experienced if I had stayed home.

At the waterfall itself, the rain came and went. Sometimes the trees sheltered me from most of it, and other times, not so much. However, similar to the scene earlier on the trail, a light mist drifted through the scene, and the rain gave the rocks a much richer coloring than when they were dry. I took some old familiar photos and experimented with some new ones.

The end result was that getting up and heading out, even in what looked like poor weather conditions, really paid off—both with some new photos and a unique experience in a familiar place.

Just Get Out There

Let my morning of heading out into what looked like poor weather conditions turning out successfully inspire you to consider doing the same. You will see familiar scenes in entirely different conditions, sparking your creativity when making photos. The bad weather will also help keep crowds down, allowing you to experience typically busy locations in relative peace and quiet, further adding to the creative experience and focus while rejuvenating your photography.

Tips for Being Prepared

While getting out in poor weather can be rewarding and well worth it, being prepared makes the difference between being uncomfortable or very uncomfortable. Here are a few quick tips to help you face the elements.

If you are expecting wet weather, be sure to have rain gear for yourself. I find a wide-brimmed hat immensely useful for keeping rain off my face, which makes a huge difference. For your camera gear, attach the lens you are most likely to use ahead of time so you don’t have to change lenses in the rain. A rain sleeve for your camera can help protect it in really wet weather. Toss in an extra microfiber cloth to dry your camera as you put it back into your bag.

For cold weather, dress in layers so you can add or remove as temperatures change. A warm hat goes a long way to keeping you comfortable. Good boots will help keep your feet warm. If you expect icy conditions, bring a set of microspikes.

Finally, don’t neglect safety. If you’re driving in inclement weather, such as rain or snowy and icy roads, ensure your vehicle is ready for the trip. This includes having a full tank of gas, properly inflated tires, and carrying a few extra supplies, such as blankets, water, and extra food, in case you need to wait something out in the car.

I hope I’ve demonstrated the value of heading out in conditions that don’t always seem the most promising for landscape photography. I’ve been rewarded many times for venturing out in poor conditions, and these have been some of my most memorable experiences outdoors.

How about you? Are you thinking about heading out in sub-optimal conditions in the future? Let me know in the comments.