Picture this: it is Sunday morning, you look out the window and see a gray sky full of threatening clouds. The wind is chasing branches against the windows and here and there a downpour gushes from a dark cloud cover. Your first thought? “There goes my plan to photograph...” Because let's face it: we almost automatically associate beautiful weather with beautiful photos. A clear blue sky, warm sunshine, the golden hour that sets everything in a magical glow - that's the ideal picture, right?
But what if I told you that it is precisely those dark clouds, that unpredictable rain and those misty mornings that turn a landscape into a backdrop full of drama, atmosphere and emotion? That instead of boring postcard pictures, it's something unique you capture when you let the weather take its course? Landscape photography is not a sun vacation; it is a voyage of discovery in which the weather is your greatest accomplice.
Let's dive deeper into why you should take your camera outside when the weather gods show their rough side.
F/4.0, 1/25 sec., ISO-500, 70 mm (Panorama)
The play of light, shadow and contrast...
A clear blue sky is wonderful for spending a day at the beach, but in photography it can sometimes be downright boring. Why? Because bright sunlight with few clouds often produces flat light. Shadows are harsh, the colors bright, but not always layered or interesting.
Tempestuous weather, on the other hand, creates a dynamic play between light and dark. Threatening cloud cover breaks the light in unpredictable places, creating magical beams of light that spotlight a part of the landscape. Such a beam of sunlight breaking right through a cloud formation and illuminating a rolling hill, while the rest of the landscape remains shrouded in shadow - that is pure poetry!
Fog works very differently again. It mutes the light, softens hard lines and adds an almost fairy-tale feel to a forest or field. The contrast becomes more subtle, details disappear into the fog and the viewer has to use his imagination to fill in the whole picture. This evokes emotion - and exactly that is what makes a photograph memorable.
F/11.0, 1"6 sec., ISO-100, 40 mm (Panorama)
When bad weather takes your photos to the next level...
To make that idea a little more tangible: here are a few actual situations in which bad weather is your best friend.
1. Storm by the sea
The North Sea coast in wind force 8 is a completely different world from a summer beach day. High waves pound against piers and lighthouses, splashing foam is blown across the beach by the wind. It produces rough, dramatic images full of movement and energy. If you photograph such a scene with a long shutter speed, you get a beautiful contrast between the soft, veil-like waves and the sturdy rock formations or a weathered pier head.
2. Thunderclouds over a mountain landscape
In the mountains, the weather can change in an instant. A clear blue sky can give way to thundering cumulonimbus clouds within an hour. That dramatic cloud cover hanging over mountain peaks gives your photos an epic sense of grandeur and nothingness at once. A tiny hiker in the foreground emphasizes the scale of the natural violence.
3. Fog in the forest
A forest in foggy weather feels like a fairy tale. The trunks slowly disappear in the mist, the sounds are muffled and the colors become monochromatic. The very absence of bright light and harsh contrasts gives the image a picturesque quality. Add a winding path or a solitary hiker wearing a brightly colored coat and you have a photo that tells stories.
4. Rain and reflections
Rain is not just wet and cold. Wet surfaces reflect the little light there is and can give streets, rocks and leaves an extra layer of shine. Try photographing after a heavy shower: puddles can become reflective works of art in which clouds and colors merge.
F/8.0, 1/100 sec., ISO-50, 40 mm
Practical tips: here's how to make the most of stormy weather...
Okay, you're convinced and eager to run out into the rain with your camera. How do you go about it smartly? Good preparation is half the battle.
Protect your equipment
- Bring a rain cover for your camera or improvise with a simple plastic bag with an elastic band.
- A lens hood can help keep raindrops off your lens.
- Bring a microfiber cloth to clean your lens regularly.
- Dry your camera thoroughly when you get back inside. And when you go from cold to warm, store your camera in a sealed bag for a while to prevent condensation.
Keep yourself warm and dry
- Invest in good waterproof clothing and sturdy shoes.
- Layers work best. You should be able to move freely, but not shiver from the cold.
- Also consider a waterproof backpack or a rain cover for your bag.
Safety first
- Check the weather report. A big shower is fine, but don't stand in the middle of an open plain with a tripod when thunderstorms are coming.
- Be alert to slippery rocks, muddy paths and running water.
- Let someone know where you are, especially if you are photographing in remote locations.
Experiment with settings
- Play with shutter speeds: a slow shutter speed makes rain and waves soft and dreamy; a slow shutter speed actually freezes the action.
- Set your camera to manual mode or semi-automatic (aperture priority) to control exposure.
- Photograph in RAW for maximum post-processing; dark cloudscapes can often be carried through beautifully in post-processing.
F/8.0, 1/13 sec., ISO-400, 40 mm
Wisdom of the masters...
Of course, you don't have to take my word for it. Listen to what iconic landscape photographers say about this.
American photographer Ansel Adams once said, “There is nothing worse than a sharp image of a fuzzy concept.” Freely translated: what good is technical perfection if your subject is dull? Precisely an ominous cloudy sky can enhance that "concept.
Renowned British photographer Joe Cornish is a big fan of bad weather: "If you want mood and drama in your pictures, go out when the weather is rough. There's nothing quite like the light that breaks through storm clouds."
And Frans Lanting, Dutch pride in nature and landscape photography, calls fog and rain “the secret sauce” that can lift a photo from ‘beautiful’ to "magical.
F/11.0, 1/200 sec., ISO-100, 35 mm (Panorama)
Dare to embrace it again....
Maybe it still sounds a little contradictory: seeking out the rain for a great photo. But consider how many landscape photos already exist with blue skies and green meadows. How do you still distinguish yourself with that?
A good landscape photograph tells a story, evokes a feeling, stimulates the imagination. And nothing is more powerful than the weather to play a starring role in that. So the next time you look out the window and see the gray skies gathering, turn that little voice in your head around: "Perfect! This is my chance."
Grab your camera, put on your raincoat, find an exciting spot and let nature do her work. Who knows, you may soon be home with soggy shoes and a windswept hairdo, but with a photo no one else took that day.
Bad weather? Doesn't exist. Bad excuses? They do.
Have fun out there - and above all, don't forget to enjoy the unexpected!
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