Photography News 15

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Round2:Weather Shooting when it’s dry and sunny is all very well but it’s not very challenging and the results can look benign. For Round 2 we want mood and lots of it, so get geared up for the cold and wet

The UK is blessed with interesting weather and on occasions it can change from dry and bright one moment to overcast with heavy rain the next. It can be a pain when there is washing waiting to be dried, but photographically speaking the ever-changing conditions are a boon. For this round we want to see pictures that show the photogenic face of weather. How you define photogenic is obviously a matter of subjectivity but we want to see pictures that work because of the weather conditions at the time. This might be gale-force winds whipping up high waves or people bent over double as they fight their way through the conditions. If you are lucky to get some snow, you could make great pictures of the stuff as it falls through the sky, or again you can look for that human interest angle as folks struggle with the conditions – or enjoy them. Phenomena related to weather are included too. Rainbows, for example – if you have a good foreground, a vivid rainbow can finish off a scene nicely – but phenomena can also include interesting cloud formations, mist and fog. Mist and fog make life hazardous on the roads by limiting visibility but that very quality transforms everyday scenes. Suddenly an ordinary scene can look very special as fog hides a messy background but close subjects dominate to give a feeling of depth. Irrespective of the weather, pictures still need to be well composed and eye-catching. It’s not enough to have a good shot of the weather, it needs to be a compelling composition too, one that involves the viewer. The process of using a camera in some conditions can be an issue in itself and it is clearly

RAINY DAYS The reflections really add to this shot so get out in the rain for cracking images, or after it for smooth puddles. Why not practise your street shooting at the same time?

A bigger problem might be keeping the lens front free of raindrops. Obviously having the lens front protected by a clear filter is strongly advised and at least if that filter gets wet it’s easier to wipe dry with a microfibre cloth than the front lens. We look forward to seeing your photography club’s weather pictures.

important not to let it get too wet. Many models are weatherproof which can help, but a standard camera should be alright unless the weather is really bad: torrential downpours and Arctic winds spring to mind. Protecting the body with a polythene shopping bag, purpose-designed raincover or just shielding it under your coat in between shots are all considerations.

It’s not enough to have a good shot of the weather, it needs to be a compelling composition too

MOODYMONO The subject of weather is so broad, there are so many different shots you could submit. Shoot in black & white or colour, full length, head height or looking down – whatever gets across the feeling that without the weather the shot would fall flat.

LET IT SNOW It’s not just the weather you need for success, it’s the composition too. In this snowy landscape the trees frame the person perfectly.

Issue 15 | Photography News