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HOW TO...
Using Rainfall, Puddles, Reflections and Light for Spectacular Pictures! |
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Do special photo opportunities exist during and after a rainfall?
Article by Stephen J. Kristof
© 2010, FreePhotoCourse.com all rights reserved Most amateur photographers miss-out on one of nature's truly phenominal photo opportunity gifts - that is - photographing during and/or after rainfall. It may seem a bit obvious to say that the landscape changes because of rain, but to see it through the lens is a different matter! Rain produces misty scenes, droplets, reflections and light. Rainfall also tends to change the apparent color and depth of surfaces such as streets, flora and even buildings. Whether it's raining while you photograph or not, puddles also have the ability to transform above-ground scenery into painted and distorted reflections of reality. Now, let's try a fun and imaginative exercise that's sure to sharpen your photographic eye... Try to imagine the following cinematic movie sequence in your mind’s eye. It takes place in the business district/downtown area of a metropolitan city just about anywhere in the world. The rain is falling heavily in rolling sheets, creating small waves in the puddles that have now collected on the street next to the curbs. The camera moves to a low pedestal position so that you, the viewer, can see these little waves in a more pronounced way, along with the popcorn-like raindrops that, themselves, create a bubbling and frothing effect. |
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Next, the camera pans left toward the sidewalk and then begins to pedestal upward, the lens widening its zoom simultaneously. You now see a new puddle on the sidewalk; this growing puddle is, by contrast to the previous one, still and mirror-like as it is protected by a series of awnings hanging over the doors and storefronts along the sidewalk. The camera continues to pan toward four shoes standing in that puddle, the shoes belonging to a man and a woman.
You are, at once, stunned by the beauty of that reflection as it shows the couple’s legs and a hint of the tall buildings and storefronts around them. The film cuts to a medium shot of the couple from waist up. Although they are not talking, it’s apparent that they are involved in an argument of some sort, perhaps about a very painful subject judging from their posture and the expressions on their faces. The man leans forward and looks down at his reflection. The film cuts to his point of view and you see his reflection from his eye level.
The film cuts to another shot of the same puddle from a different angle. This time one pair of shoes starts to walk away. You continue watching the puddle as the tiny splashes from the moving feet begin to calm, revealing a crystal clear reflection of the woman walking away, draped by the tall buildings, the dark and gloomy sky, and the man’s feet standing statue-still in the puddle.
So, what did you see? Obviously what your mind’s eye has drawn will be different from the next person’s. However, if you are like most visual thinkers – and all successful photographers are just that – then you probably saw some really stunning scenery and interesting abstract views of some very common elements that we often ignore as photographic opportunities.
Take a look at the spectacular water and reflection pictures below. From an abstract perspective, they use very ordinary subject matter, but because of the composition and because of the water or reflections, these ordinary elements are transformed into compelling artistic photos!
Click on photos below to view full-size image. (FreePhotoCourse.com How To's, Photo Lessons and Photography Tips are provided free of chargae; please respect our photographers' copyright and do not copy these images.)
You are, at once, stunned by the beauty of that reflection as it shows the couple’s legs and a hint of the tall buildings and storefronts around them. The film cuts to a medium shot of the couple from waist up. Although they are not talking, it’s apparent that they are involved in an argument of some sort, perhaps about a very painful subject judging from their posture and the expressions on their faces. The man leans forward and looks down at his reflection. The film cuts to his point of view and you see his reflection from his eye level.
The film cuts to another shot of the same puddle from a different angle. This time one pair of shoes starts to walk away. You continue watching the puddle as the tiny splashes from the moving feet begin to calm, revealing a crystal clear reflection of the woman walking away, draped by the tall buildings, the dark and gloomy sky, and the man’s feet standing statue-still in the puddle.
So, what did you see? Obviously what your mind’s eye has drawn will be different from the next person’s. However, if you are like most visual thinkers – and all successful photographers are just that – then you probably saw some really stunning scenery and interesting abstract views of some very common elements that we often ignore as photographic opportunities.
Take a look at the spectacular water and reflection pictures below. From an abstract perspective, they use very ordinary subject matter, but because of the composition and because of the water or reflections, these ordinary elements are transformed into compelling artistic photos!
Click on photos below to view full-size image. (FreePhotoCourse.com How To's, Photo Lessons and Photography Tips are provided free of chargae; please respect our photographers' copyright and do not copy these images.)
 Tiny Raindrops on LeavesPhoto Credit: Stephen J. Kristof Raindrops, Lines, Curves, FormPhoto Credit: Stephen J. Kristof |
 Abstract - Reflection, Water DropletsPhoto Credit: Kevan Donais Spider Web and Water DropletsPhoto Credit: Mary K. Baird |
 Sky Reflection in Puddle on DeckPhoto Credit: Kevan Donais Raindrops on Lillypad with ReflectionPhoto Credit: J. Durham |
 Wavy Reflection in Puddle at Side of RoadPhoto Credit: Kevan Donais Fresh Rain on Stone with ReflectionPhoto Credit: Stephen J. Kristof |
Now that you've seen some rain, water and reflection pictures, you may want to read our specific, free "How To" secrets that professional photographers use to get these types of images.
Click HERE for the rest of this article.
More beautiful abstract rain, water and reflection pictures are shown below:
 Fresh Rain Drops on Smoke Tree LeavePhoto Credit: Stephen J. Kristof Ruddy Turnstone and Reflection on BeachPhoto Credit: Stephen J. Kristof |
 Wet Pavement, Reflections at NightPhoto Credit: Mikael Persson Raindrops & RhythmPhoto Credit: Stephen J. Kristof |
PART 2 OF THIS ARTICLE
contains specific "How To" tips regarding the use of rain and reflections to create stunning photos.
Please check it out - as always - it's completely free!
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