When the sky turns gray and the clouds thunder, it might be time to sip some hot tea with pakoras. But it could also be a signal to go out and shoot!. Here is a list of 10 simple things that you can try out with your camera to capture the elegance and charm of rainfall this year.
1. Use Reflections
The rainy season turns every surface reflective, offering a wonderful opportunity to let loose your creative horses. Use this natural mirror to click reflections and turn them upside down to see the magic. Do reflect upon this thought! (With all the pun intended)
2. Drama with Flash
The flashlight can be used in a very creative way. Surprised? People don’t realise that a flash can do a lot more than shedding light on the subject. It can freeze motion as well. Like that of the falling raindrops. With the slow-sync feature of flashlights in many cameras, beautiful background blurs can be achieved with a frozen subject. So, don’t wait when you hear the clouds roar, take off in a flash!
3. Time to effectively use the white balance
White balance effects are rarely touched upon by photographers and photo-enthusiasts alike. The host of lighting and color options are worth experimenting upon. The use of shade or cloudy effects can render some warmth to the images, whereas tungsten effect is there to add hazes of blue. Signifying different emotions, these colors can add drama to the picture and give an entire new feel to it.
4. Go Macro
The raindrops have a lot of stories to tell. Be the translator and help them communicate! These pearl-like droplets can act like supplementary lenses which can be used to refract upon the subjects kept behind them. Try keeping the subject 2-3 inches behind the droplets and experiment with the aperture and focus, to create beautiful macro effects.
5. Take the B/W path
Monochromatic pictures have an abyss of drama, worth exploring. Rains in themselves bring a lot of emotions with them. Combine the effect of monochrome to it to create stunning images of peculiar nature.
6. Capture trails
Well, here is to one of the most favorite categories of them all. Light trails, can be effectively captured in a really imaginative way. Add colors to the gloomy monsoons and try your hand at this. With low shutter speeds and high apertures, with varying ISO sensitivities, some phenomenal results can be achieved. Light painting is another tool that can be incorporated to add on to the beauty of the photograph. Click a photo that leaves its ‘trail’!
7. Think in bokeh
Another beautiful effect that can be tinkered upon is the bokeh effect. With the rain drops frozen in the foreground, the bokeh effect of magnificent lights in the background can add tranquility and nostalgia to the picture. To add flavor to the image then, colored transparent sheets can be used to cover the flash, to add hues to the pictures once the flash is fired.
8. Go pastel
Use a soft focus to add the pastel effect to the image with the subject merging with the soft dramatic background. The practical usage of this style is infinite and is effective in turning a photograph into a painting. Monochrome effect adds to the feel of the image and is definitely worth a shot! So go ahead and paint with your camera!
9. Use the puddles
This is something that you will encounter at every nuke and corner during monsoons. It may go unnoticed as well, but this harmless pit of water can be turned into a memorable photograph with a pinch of imagination put to right use. Try different angles to create the effect of ripples and change focus until the right angle is achieved. Also, beautiful splashes can be created!
10. Go Miniature
Enter Liliput, and explore the wonders of this world. Go back to your childhood lane and feel the ecstasy of going head over heels for those hyper realistic toys you always craved for as a child. Go out with your toys of past and present (Equipments) and create magic. Editing tools can also be used effectively to explore beyond what the nascent eyes can see!
And not to forget, the cameras we use aren’t waterproof (not the GoPros for sure!), so take due care and avoid any mishaps to your gear!
We hope this monsoon you leave that cozy rocking chair, and go out on an adventurous journey to explore nature at its best.
Written by Shivam Tiwari for World Photographers Club
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