How To Take Stunning Photos In Different Weather Conditions
Taking great photos in different weather conditions can be challenging, but with the proper techniques and the right gear, it’s possible to take professional pictures in every weather condition.
To take good photos in different weather conditions requires proper equipment such as; ND filters, polarizing filters, and tripods) and the correct technique, balancing ISO, aperture, and shutter speed to achieve your creative vision.
Keep reading as I talk about four different weather conditions and how to capture beautiful images in each.
How To Take Photos In Sunny Weather

The main concern regarding sunny weather is light; be aware of any reflection-heavy, shadowed, or overexposed parts of your image. Here are some tips for capturing the best photo possible in sunny weather.
Pick the right time of day. Photographers generally prefer to shoot during “golden hour,” just after sunrise or before sunset. This is because the sun is at an optimal angle providing soft, warm lighting. This time of day is perfect for any naturally lit photos, such as photos outside or using a widow as a primary light source.
Use filters to your advantage. ND filters are must-haves for photographers; an easy way to think of them is that they are essentially sunglasses for your camera, helping you to control exposure better. Here is a link to a great budget variable ND filter from K&F Concept. Polarizing filters reduce glare and reflections; they also help deepen the colour of the sky and bodies of water. Here is an excellent budget-polarizing filter from K&F Concept. Be sure to check the filter size of your lenses and buy accordingly or buy the size of your largest lens and use step-down rings like these ones from K&F Concept.
Use a diffuser. Harsh lighting can be problematic for your subject and make your images look subpar. Diffusers are made from translucent white fabric and soften the light from the sun, just as the clouds do. Often you can get multi-use diffusers that also serve as reflectors to help fill in light when necessary. Here is a good diffuser from Neewer that I have tested and love.
How To Take Photos In Cloudy Weather

When it comes to photography in cloudy weather, the lighting can be excellent or flat. If it’s sunny with lots of clouds, the clouds will diffuse the light to soften it for your subject. The lighting will be flat if the weather is dark and cloudy like it’s about to rain. Here are some tips for dealing with flat lighting from cloudy weather.
Use contrast to your advantage. Trying to create contrast in your image can be difficult with flat lighting; to counter this, look for two subjects that naturally contrast. An excellent example is a dark building contrasted against a light sky.
Experiment with longer shutter speeds. The clouds can create haze, reducing contrast and making your images look less sharp. Longer shutter speeds let more light hit your camera’s sensor, which will help with the sharpness of your pictures.
Have fun with reflections. Use reflections in water or on windows to take creative photos. The diffused light from clouds will ensure even lighting in your images.
How To Take Photos In Rainy Weather

Though most people naturally will try to avoid shooting in the rain, it can be great for taking photos. Rain creates interesting patterns, textures, and reflections in your images. Here are some tips to get excellent photos in rainy weather.
Use weather-sealed gear. The best way to protect your equipment from the rain is to use gear that doesn’t need to be protected. There are many cameras and lenses out there that are weather-sealed, meaning they will hold up against harsh rain if required.
Use reflections to your advantage. Reflections during rainy weather can materialize in lots of different places. To capture creative and interesting photos, look for puddles, windows, or other metallic surfaces.
Use long exposures to create light trails. Rainy weather often means low-light shooting and long exposures can create cool effects, such as light trails in your photos. Use a tripod when taking long exposures to ensure no wobble or blur in your image.
How To Take Photos In Snowy Weather

Snow can be beautiful to shoot, whether piled on the ground or falling from the sky. The challenge to photographing snow is that it reflects light and can end up overexposing your images. Here are some tips for shooting beautiful photos in the snow.
Use filters to your advantage. Polarizing filters are essential here, as reflections and glare are the key difficulties with snowy weather. ND filters are another way of dealing with reflected light from snow; as mentioned before, they are just sunglasses for your camera.
Monitor your white balance. Using auto-white balance can make your snow look blue in your images. This isn’t a huge issue if you are shooting RAW, as you can edit your white balance in post-production, but it’s always good to get your settings as close to perfect as possible in camera. Try using a white balance preset in your camera or bringing white balance cards.
Be careful of too much negative space. Snowy landscapes can have a lot of white in them; try to balance your photos as best as possible and use textures to your advantage when you have a lot of snow to shoot.
Jeremy Goh
Jeremy grew up volunteering at church and has also worked in a church setting. Along with working as a freelance creative, Jeremy is studying for a business degree in finance and international business.

