How to photograph raindrops on your window

how-to-photograph-raindrops-on-your-window

©Borcila Dorinel photography - “Raindrops”

Introduction:

Raindrops are often overlooked as beautiful gifts from nature. As a photographer, I've found that taking pictures of raindrops on a window can produce stunning compositions that showcase their delicate beauty. In this blog post, I'll share my techniques and journey in photographing raindrops on my window so you can easily achieve it with your camera. Through my photographs, I hope to show the beauty of these tiny wonders that are often overlooked.

The Essence of Raindrops:

Before talking about the technical aspects of photographing the raindrops, it's important to take a moment to appreciate the beauty of these tiny water droplets and how they reflect the light through them. Raindrops are simple yet a more detailed pattern, and they can make some beautiful and captivating photographs that will guide your creativity as you start your photographic journey.

Choosing the Right Equipment and Camera settings for Optimal Results:

To take precise and clear shots of raindrops on your window, it's important to choose the right equipment. Using my Canon EOS 6D MK ii dslr camera, I’ve found that using a EF 50mm F1.8 STM lens at an aperture of F8.0 on Aperture Priority mode and with a 36mm extension tube from Viltrox, it allowed me to take a close up shot and capture even the smallest details of individual raindrops while still keeping the overall composition intact. Also, before to take the photo, I’ve changed the picture profile from my camera to Monochrome, because it enhances the visual impact of the images by adding contrast and more focus on textures. Whit this combination, it ensured that my shots were sharp and magnified to the desired level.

Setting the Stage:

When taking photos of raindrops, the setting is everything. For the best results, position yourself near a window where raindrops are falling gently on the glass surface. The natural light coming through the window will enhance the transparency of the raindrops, adding depth to your images. 

Composition and Framing Techniques:

To capture stunning photos, it's important to pay attention to composition. Dynamic compositions can be achieved by experimenting with various angles, perspectives, and framing techniques. In rainy weather, focus on the patterns and reflections in the raindrops to create eye-catching images. Remember to prioritize the main focus of the photo by positioning it in the center of the frame.

Post-Processing Tips:

When you take images of raindrops, it's best to use editing software like Adobe Lightroom or Photoshop to enhance their quality. You can do this by adjusting exposure, contrast, and cleaning the unwanted imperfections from the image. Make sure to pay close attention to details and ensure that each raindrop is displayed in its full glory. In my case, I used Lightroom to give a general editing to the photo and exported the image in Photoshop to clean up the photo from marks and spots. The results where exactly as I wanted and I was super happy with the results.

Conclusion:

The joy of taking pictures of raindrops it’s a truly rewarding experience, and I would highly suggest other photographers try it out. To capture the beauty of raindrops, I had to choose the right equipment and master camera settings. With practice, I was able to take stunning photos that evoke a sense of calm and awe. If you're looking to explore your creativity behind the lens, I encourage you to give photographing raindrops a try!

Happy shooting!

Previous
Previous

Why Professional Portrait Photographers Use Grey Backgrounds

Next
Next

Generative AI versus Real Photographs: Can You Tell the Differences?