THE PHOTOGRAPHIC EYE

EXERCISE
Rain
Assignment: Do a series
photographs of a rainy day.
of
Goal: Explore how objects, people
and the earth interact with rain. What
moods does rain provoke? How does
it change the way people and things
look and act?
Tips: A light drizzle is generally better
than a heavy downpour. Look for
how the light is striking the rain itself.
Especially if it's raining and sunny at
same time, the results can be stunning.
(You might try using a flash to
highlight the rain. Just be sure to
keep it dry!)
You can shoot from under cover:
standing under an awning or in a
doorway, sitting in your house or in
a car and shooting out a window
(open or shut, wiped clean or
streaked).
If you do choose to go right into
the rain, be sure to protect your
camera. You can use a laundry bag,
for example, with holes cut for the
lens and viewfinder, taped to the
camera. Or, if it's not too windy, you
can just keep your camera under an
umbrella. It's a good idea to use a
lens hood, to keep the lens dry.
Moisture on the lens can be a good
effect, but use it thoughtfully.
Keep shooting after it stops raining.
Look for puddles, objects and
people dripping droplets clinging to
leaves, etc.
Student photograph by Steve Whiteside.
Breaking the Rules 203