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Tips for Using Your Camera in the Rain
Get that shot without harming your equipment
By Kyle Schurman Kyle Schurman Freelance Contributor University of Nebraska-Lincoln Kyle Schurman is a writer who specializes in digital cameras. His writing has appeared in Steve's Darkroom, Gadget Review, and others. lifewire's editorial guidelines Updated on December 2, 2020 Tweet Share Email Plume Creative / Getty Images Tweet Share Email Travel Tech Digital Cameras & Photography Tips for Mobile Photography As with any electronic device, water is the enemy. Unless it is designed specifically for underwater use, your digital camera is vulnerable to damage from rain and mist. But don't cancel that photo session just because it's raining. With these strategies, you can get those shots regardless of the weather. Protect Your Equipment
Priority number one is to shield your equipment from rain, moisture, and condensation. Always carry a few dry camera cloths with you. Microfiber cloths that can clean all parts of a camera, including the lens and LCD, are a great choice. Keep them in a sealed plastic bag when they aren't in use to keep them dry. Amazon Never use your clothes to dry or clean the lens of the camera. Using anything but your camera cleaning cloths can scratch a camera's delicate lenses, LCD, and viewfinder. Plus, fibers from clothing can stick to lenses.Keep a few towels handy. Drape these over the camera between shots to provide extra protection.Use an all-weather camera bag. This will help keep the camera dry and protected when you aren't using it. Amazon Don't rely on an umbrella to keep your equipment dry. Holding an umbrella while trying to shoot photos is impossible. In addition, an umbrella won't prevent rain from blowing under it and soaking the camera.Shoot from under an overhanging roof or other shelter. You might not catch every photo you want, but you and your equipment will stay dry. Here again, though, wind can negate your efforts, so try this approach only on a calm day.Use a lens hood, camera jacket, or plastic bag. Remember, the goal is to keep the equipment dry without impeding visibility from the lens. Amazon Throw a few moisture-absorbing silica gel packs in your camera bag. They help prevent condensation and speed up the drying process. Amazon Stay Comfortable
If you're cold, wet, and miserable, you won't want to stick around for the moody, creative shots that rainy conditions make possible. Don all-weather outerwear. Your camera is dry inside its bag, and you should be dry inside your jacket. At the very least, pack a rain jacket whenever you shoot outdoors. That way you won't miss photo opps just because the weather changes. You can also tuck your equipment inside your jacket in a pinch.Don't forget gloves. Wet often means cold, and if your hands are shaky or stiff, the quality of your shots will suffer. Adjust for Conditions
Dreary, rainy weather necessitates a few adjustments: Use a slow shutter speed. Much less light is available on cloudy, showery days. Use a tripod. That slow shutter speed makes holding still crucial, and nothing does the job like a tripod. Look for the light. Reflected light, light from buildings and storefronts, a break in the clouds—all can present opportunities for truly interesting shots. Andrew TB Tan / Getty Images Was this page helpful? Thanks for letting us know! Get the Latest Tech News Delivered Every Day Subscribe Tell us why! Other Not enough details Hard to understand Submit More from Lifewire Clean Fungus From Your Camera Lens Snow Photography Tips: Improve Winter Photography How to Photograph Running Water With a DSLR How to Shoot Photos in Strong Wind How to Clean a Camera Lens What Is Burst Mode and How to Use It How to Get Sand Out of Your Camera Lens Store Your Digital Camera Safely Safely Using an iPhone in the Snow and Cold Mastering Shutter Priority Mode on Your DSLR Use a Digital Camera as a Scanner The 8 Best Lenses for DSLR Cameras of 2022 The 6 Best Canon Cameras of 2022 Can You Shower With AirPods Pro? Tips for Shooting Water Reflection Photos The 5 Best Cameras for Under $250 of 2022 Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up By clicking “Accept All Cookies”, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyze site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts. Cookies Settings Accept All Cookies