Street Photography in the Rain
Northumberland Street, Newcastle Upon Tyne
I absolutely love street photography in the rain! It's one of my favourite things to do, especially when it really starts to properly hoy it down. There's just something magical about capturing the world in a different light and seeing the beauty in the rain. A great comedian once phrased it beautifully and I couldn’t agree with him more.
“I hate all those weathermen, too, who tell you that rain is bad weather. There’s no such thing as bad weather, just the wrong clothing, so get yourself a sexy raincoat and live a little.”
Billy Connolly
This dude broke out his sexy raincoat!
Street photography as genre which is often very rewarding, especially when the weather takes an unexpected turn. There are many photographers out there who will only go out on a nice sunny day and will hide away in the comfort of their homes on a grey drizzly day, but they are honestly often some of the best days to get out and play. The rain is not the end of the world scenario that so many think it is, and can provide a unique opportunity to capture the world in a different light. Northumberland Street, in the heart of Newcastle, is a favourite location that offers a bucket load of potential for rain-soaked street photography. Simply head to the corner of Fenwick to stay dry and have fun.
I really love this beautiful lady and her many bags braving the rain.
In Newcastle we mostly have what can only be described and cold, miserable misty rain that has people huddled under hoods and umbrellas, then you’ve got the properly hoyin’ it down, soaks through everything kind of rain. When it rains like this, it is by far the most fun you can have on a busy high street in the middle of the city. Northumberland Street, comes alive with an array of drama and colour, becoming a street photographer's playground. The reflections on the wet pavement and glistening shop windows add interest to a normally grey environment. People trying hard to avoid getting drenched, with an array of multi coloured umbrellas, rain coats, or that classic, bag over the head and peg it to the next shop tactic. Everyone is in a hurry, trying to get to their destinations as fast as possible, which makes for some great comical photographic moments. These shots can be a great way to tell an epic story about the weather and how it affects the lives of people in the city.
I love these moments. They know they’re completely soaked through, but there is still hope under the Fenwick awning.
A great tip for making the most out of these reflections is to get down low. Don’t be afraid to be that weirdo sitting on the floor under the Fenwick awning. This angle will give your images a dynamic feel as well as creating a sense of depth and perspective. As always when you're shooting in challenging light, you need to choose what is most important for exposing your photo, and what you’re willing to sacrifice to get the perfect photo. For street photography, the shutter speed is often the most important. You want set your shutter about as fast as a seagull that’s spotted a Greg’s sausage roll in a toddler’s hand, which is around 500/1 of a second. As tempting as it is to open your aperture all the way up on a prime lens to get all that light in, with street photograph you do want to have some depth to your photos whilst still having some separation of the background from you subject. I like to set mine at around f/6. On dark grizzly days it’s the ISO that you’re going to sacrifice to the Photography Gods, so bump it to around 16 000.
Just accepted their fate, bless them.
When it comes to street photography, there isn’t really a rule book to follow. In fact, it's all about creativity and experimentation! So, don't be afraid to try out different angles and perspectives to make your photos stand out. One way to add interest and depth to your street photography is by playing around with your perspective. For instance, try shooting from above or below to capture a unique viewpoint. You can also experiment with reflections, whether it's shooting through a puddle or capturing the reflection of a subject in a window. The only thing restricting you is your imagination. You may accidently stumble upon something you really love.
Some really epic puddles throughout the city after that heavy rain, creating some great opportunities to experiment a little.
There are many different styles of street photography with the most popular one being where you try to make yourself seem invisible and not interact with the world around you, but sometimes when you stop being invisible you can get some of the best photos. By being very visible while you’re taking photos you’re able to capture that magical moment when their eyes meet your lens and you’re able to join in on the joke that is the bipolar British weather.
Doesn’t she look beautiful? To think she ran away after seeing the photo.
As a street photographer, you never know what kind of weather or situations you may encounter, so it's important to be prepared. One of the things you can do to protect your camera gear is to invest in a rain cover for your camera and lens. This will help keep your equipment dry and prevent any water damage that could occur from exposure to rain. Another option is to simply use an umbrella to shield your camera from the rain. This can be a great way to stay dry while still being able to capture those amazing street shots. Additionally, if you're lucky enough to come across a shop doorway or awning, take advantage of it!
But, regardless of the weather conditions, the most important thing is to have fun. Street photography is all about being in the moment and capturing the world as it unfolds. Also don’t forget the golden rule about street photography in the Toon. Shy bairns get nowt. Happy snapping!
