A grey, rainy day can be more photogenic than a hot day with blue sky and blazing sunshine, because blocky shadows and crude blasting light can limit your options.

If you plan to shoot in the rain, take some precautions. First, consider a long lens with a deep lens hood – these enable you to shoot from underneath doorways or arches for shelter. Try to keep your camera dry if it’s not weather-sealed – an old shower cap or sealable sandwich bag can work well. And, wear waterproofs, as it’s difficult to be creative when you’re drenched. With all this sorted, you’re good to go.

  1. Look for reflections and puddles at midday or after dusk when street lights come on. Soaking paving stones also reflect buildings. Use a burst of flash to illuminate hard-driving rain, making it stand out against the scenery.
  2. Don’t be put off by a grey sky; it’s a good time to try minimalist photography skills. Seascapes work well in minimalist b&w, as can lone trees, man-made structures like pylons and groynes, and reflections.
  3. You can also get shots of people in the rain. Photographer Keith Morris makes good money from images of wet weather and how the British react to it.
  4. If the rain clouds part and the sun breaks through, the skies can look dramatic. Watch out for rainbows too. You may need to use a polariser to reduce glare/ haze or an ND Grad filter to balance exposure.