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How to Photograph Rain Drops

Raindrops create fascinating patterns, and photographing this natural phenomenon can be tricky. Your camera settings are important and you will need a lens capable of macro work, which allows close range composition of a subject. For some digital cameras, a macro setting is available; for others, such as digital SLRs, this setting can be combined with a high quality lens in order to produce spectacular results.

Things You'll Need

Camera with macro setting
Macro lens (optional)
Flash, reflectors and other lighting or diffusing equipment (optional)

Instructions

- 1
  Attach the macro lens to your camera.
- 2
  Select your camera settings. Use the "Macro" setting on your camera, if available. For manual cameras, it is important to recognize that macro photography requires extra light; a wide aperture or slow shutter speed is necessary to take a clear, well-exposed image. If the raindrops are moving, a slow shutter speed will cause motion blur, so using a wide aperture partnered with a high film speed or flash will be ideal.
- 3
  Adjust the lighting. Direct light on a raindrop can cause overexposed areas. Use a reflector or white card or bounce your flash off of a nearby surface to diffuse the light being used. This will help create a more even image and avoid "hot" spots and overexposed areas.
- 4
  Focus on your subject and take the photo. When using a macro lens and a wide aperture, be aware that the depth of field--the area of the subject which will be in focus--is very narrow, sometimes less than an inch. Double check your focus before completing the shot.

Photography