It’s raining and I have to shoot, now what?

It’s raining and I have to shoot, now what?

We have all been there, needing to get assignments done and the weather isn't it's best so what can we do? We still have a deadline that we have to make, but we don't want to get our cameras wet. For me I shoot OCR races professionally so sometimes I don't have a choice but to work in the rain. While my semi pro body is weather resistant and so is the glass that doesn't mean I should let it get wet. So what are the available options? Between myself and some of my peers we have tried several different options. I have used in the past a inexpensive bag that is made to protect your gear from the elements. The company is called Op Tech and the bags are available at most camera retailers. They cost about $8 for 2 bags. The bag is pretty simple to use and it very convenient because they fold up small and will fit in your bag.

             There are other options that are more expensive solution but It doesn't mean it's better.  One of my peers have purchased a few of the more expensive ones and they each had something about them he didn't like. The one system that he using covered the equipment very nicely but the area to look through to view the screen kept fogging up on him. That could make it difficult to get the shots if you can't seem what you are shooting. It always best to do you research before you purchase anything because you don't want to have to keep buying different ones before you find what fits your needs. 

             Weather really isn't the best reason to not meet your deadline. There are many available options for us to prepare for the nasty days as well as the nice once. It's always best to make sure you are prepared for whatever Mother Nature throws at you. Sometimes you will find that you have taken your best shot yet and the weather wasn't that favorable. One of the photographers that AI have gone out and shot with never cancels for Inclement weather. The one time I went to shoot in NYC on top of “The Rock” the weather wasn't that nice and they claimed the visibility was very low. I decided to go up anyway since I was there and the view was much better then I thought,  my shots turned out great anyway. You don't want to miss out on opportunities by not being prepared or thinking you just don't want to shoot in the rain.

For more information take a look at these options, each camera will have a different sized cover but the cheaper plastic bag ones are universal.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/469774-REG/OP_TECH_USA_9001132_18_Rainsleeve_Set_of.html

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/815182-REG/LensCoat_LCRCPM4_RainCoat_Pro_Realtree_Max4.html

 

TBT 

Thursday Ambassador

It's Beginning to look a lot like...Time to get Holiday Shots!

Good Morning and Welcome to another Terrific Tuesday!

Yes, it is getting close to that time of the year, the chill is in the air, powdery stuff coming down in some northern states (Sorry, I live in Texas!), and with that comes the time to start taking images that we have to wait several seasons to take.

So, it is nice and cold, get out there anyway and take some images!  With the weather changing almost daily, we will have opportunities to take images of snow, different types of landscapes, ice sculptures, loved one in the snow, snow fights, etc...  This is the time of the year to go bananas and get outside to see the challenges that the season might present to us.  Don't forget the Christmas lights, decorations, as some people like to indulge in the planning, preparation and setting up of decorating lights, but remember if you take images of personal properties, ask for permission.  Once you get the permission, go ahead and take the images and share them with the owner, there you go, a Christmas gift that they will enjoy!  This week is also Thanksgiving, a time for reflection for some, football for others, but always picture opportunities for photographers, have at it and have some fun!

Before you go out, there are some things that you need to remember:

1.  Check your camera, read the manual and check the temperature limits!  Some cameras are sensitive and will not work efficiently on certain lower temperatures.
2.  Protect your equipment from the cold and the moisture.
3.  Protect yourself from the cold and moisture.
4.  Check weather forecast, check your vehicle, always be safe!
5.  Have fun, fun, fun!

So go ahead and start taking images out there in the cold weather, show us the beautiful areas that surround and inspire your wonderful winter wonderland images.

Take the images while you can, every season is going to be different.  As a photographer we are challenged and inspired to practice, and doing it in the snow provide different challenges.

Have fun and until next time, this is your Tuesday Ambassador wishing you a great Thanksgiving and a fantastic holiday season!

Cold Weather is Coming; Protect your Camera!

 

Good morning and welcome to another Terrific Tuesday!

Last week the temperature in Texas dropped to the 40’s several nights throughout the week, which I think is great because it gives us a break from the hot weather.  On this particular day I was taking pictures at a part just for fun and after packing my camera bag, I went back home but I forgot to take the bag inside the house after arriving there.  The next morning I went out to get the bag and take some inside images of my family but when I opened the bag and took out the camera, all the lenses were fogged and one of them had condensation drops on the lens!

Did I panicked?  Oh yes, I surely did!

Which brings me down to today’s topic of protecting your camera from cold weather.   

http://www.photographymad.com/pages/view/how-to-protect-your-digital-camera-in-cold-weather

We all like to take images out in the cold weather, the snow, ice and the landscape is different and it gives us the opportunity for great images.  However, we need to remember that most of our DSLR cameras are geared to work in moderate temperatures and drastic changes in weather conditions and temperatures can affect them and even damage them permanently.  So, if you like the cold weather and like to be out there taking images, here are some tips and reminders about the cold weather and your camera equipment.

1.    Take spare batteries, they also get affected by changes in temperature.

2.    Protect your camera from condensation, let it adjust to temperature changes by leaving it in an environment that is somewhat in between from your house and where you are planning to go.  Put your camera in a zip lock bag and keep some silica gel bags in your camera bag to absorb moisture.

3.    Provide some padding for all the equipment.

4.    Stay warm and be sure to dress appropriately to the weather conditions.

Check out this article that talks a little more about protecting your camera and equipment:

 http://www.photographymad.com/pages/view/how-to-protect-your-digital-camera-in-cold-weather

 There are other suggestions and several sites that will give you some information about protecting yourself and your equipment, here is another one for your reading pleasure:

http://www.adorama.com/alc/0008151/article/Winter-photography-tips

Well, that is all I have for now, just remember to be careful out there, not only protect your equipment but also protect yourself and your vehicle, you want to come back to download those images!

Until later, this is your Tuesday Ambassador!

Inclement Weather...It is an Opportunity!

Hello every one and welcome back to another Terrific Tuesday!

Last week I was doing some on location photography for one of my classes, the day was sunny and hot and not a cloud in the sky.  About one hour into the shooting, some clouds appeared and lo and behold, it started to rain.  My first reaction was to close shop and tell my model to come back another day, to my surprise before I had the chance to say anything she said; “Lets’ take some pictures in the rain!”  I was like: “Ok, but your makeup and dress are going to be a mess”, to which she quickly replied with a “no problem”.  For the next 1 ½ hours I followed her through the park getting images of her with different backgrounds that included some great cumulus clouds, rain in front and behind her, rain splashing in the creek and pond, etc…

Don’t go wondering what is the point, it is simple; inclement weather is an opportunity, not a hindrance.

You might be thinking that you need to be prepared for it, well sometimes you need to be, but that is a quick fix.  Always have some type of protection for your camera, simple!  Some of you might also be thinking that photography is all about light, which is true, but that light don’t always have to be with a strobe, the sun, tungsten lights, continuous lights or hot shoe flash.  Sometimes the challenge might be using clouds as a filter, rain as part of the background, catch that lighting coming down, there are many different challenges to think about when dealing with inclement weather.  Let’s see some of the challenges that you might face.

1.    Your mind set might be that everything has to be sunny and bright for great images.  Your comfort zone is too comfortable to expand out of it?  Nothing wrong with that but consider that sometimes going outside of your comfort zone might improve you as a photographer.

2.    You like to plan ahead and never had a thought about planning for pictures when inclement weather is forecasted.  Well, not you can think about it and plan ahead some shooting, you don’t have to be out there, do it from your porch, window or patio.  Whatever you do, NEVER put yourself in danger around inclement weather!!!

3.    Planning a shooting that require some moody concept or theme?  Dark clouds and somber atmosphere is helpful, so besides some studio scenario, plan ahead and use the weather to set the mood.

4.    Be prepared for it.  Yes, you have a notion of what you want to shoot and how to shoot it and you have planned for your vision, however, sometimes a little change here and there can make your vision more like a revelation!

So, there you go, you see clouds coming your way why not think “I wonder what great opportunities that will bring my way!”  And above all have fun and be safe!  Want to read more about the topic, then follow this link for an article about inclement weather:

http://digital-photography-school.com/the-6-challenges-for-photographers-to-making-the-best-of-bad-weather

Take a look at the pictures in this blog, they were all taken either after a big storm or during the actual rain, let me know if you like them!

Have some comments or questions about what I have shared?  Drop me a line, we can all win by sharing our experiences and opinions.  Until then, see you around cyberspace!

Tuesday Ambassador