It is raining

[Newtricks]

Here in the Southland, how does one photograph rain? Taking photos of people or reflections isn't what I'm after, but shots of the environment where rain is the subject. Fast shutter to stop the rain, low intensity flash to get reflections off the rain drops, how do we do this?

 

[mmaria]

I know that the common shutter speed for showing drops of rain dropping in the sense of lines on the photo is 1/60

 

[Coasty]

When I lived in Washington State the rain was mostly disappointing, not quite mist, not quite rain, so I always used a hose and sprinkler.

By using a sprinkler, you can ensure the “rain” and sun are in the best position in relation to your background. 1/60, 1/50, 1/40, and 1/30 will all produce nice results.

 

[Newtricks]

When I lived in Washington State...

I lived in Bremerton WA. across the sound from Seattle for over a year, I know what your saying, it's pouring here in southern cali4nia right now and I'd like to make the rain the focus of the photo. I understand fast enough shutter and the rain can be frozen in time, how much does the flash need to be stopped down to get reflections off the rain without blowing out the photo?

 

[Coasty]

When I lived in Washington State...

I lived in Bremerton WA. across the sound from Seattle for over a year, I know what your saying, it's pouring here in southern cali4nia right now and I'd like to make the rain the focus of the photo. I understand fast enough shutter and the rain can be frozen in time, how much does the flash need to be stopped down to get reflections off the rain without blowing out the photo?

The flash will depend on a few things; I would suggest just start snapping test shots until you find the flash power you need.

I wish I could say I only lived in Bremerton for a year; eight years in Bremerton and seven in Silverdale, my feet are still webbed, even though I left six years ago.

What part of so-Cal? I lived in the Lompoc/Santa Barbra/ Ventura area for a time until heading out to the desert in Indio.

 

[KmH]

The problem with using flash is the rain drops closest to the camera will be a lot brighter than drops further from the camera because of the inverse square law.

Start with 1/4 power and adjust as necessary. Since you'll likely be using a wide angle lens be sure the flash is set to project a wide angle beam of light.

 

[JerryLove]

The problem with using flash is the rain drops closest to the camera will be a lot brighter than drops further from the camera because of the inverse square law.

Wouldn't that be helped by multiple, off-body flashes?

I've also heard that you want the flash timed toward the end of the shutter rather than the beginning to avoid upside-down looking raindrops. Not sure how to actually do that.

 

[Newtricks]

What part of so-Cal?

I call the San Fernando Valley my home.