Originally posted by photoptimist Excellent images!
People obsess about AF and frames-per-second in getting "keepers" never realizing all the awesome images they lose because they can't take their camera outside. Your story and images prove the value of Pentax.
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A good rain enhances color in two ways:
First, it washes away the film of dust that is typically found on leaves and other surfaces.
Second, the thin film of water on the leaves (and other objects) acts like an anti-reflection coating. Both wax and cellulose found on leaves have a higher refractive index than does water (1.5 vs. 1.3). Even if the water film seems shiny, it's actually about half as reflective as dry leaves. The result is a much better view into the color inside the leaf. The effect is even stronger on materials like rocks.
I have a grizzled old hardcore war zone photographer that mentors me from time to time. He's been published in Nat Geo more times than I can count. Trust me, you don't want to get on the wrong side of him.
"Your camera gear doesn't suck! YOU SUCK!" followed by a few choice words..."WTF! Are you scared of? Dirt!? &%^$!! MUD?! &%^$ I can't believe this %^$&#! And you want to be a photographer?! You're not gonna melt! Get your &%^$&# %&$ out there!"
Believe me man, he only holds back with me because he likes me.
On the other point-- the rain is sometimes it, but at other times it's the clouds. It can create hundreds of different atmospheric conditions that you will get no other way. Light that is softened and filtered onto so many other things.
One thing I learned over time and still try to pay careful attention to---is LIGHT. Where is it? Where is it coming from? What direction? Where is it not at? What KIND of light? Is it harsh? Is it soft?
There are hundreds of things you can ask or observe merely by PAYING ATTENTION. I figured a long time ago, "If you're gonna do this photography thing, if you don't pay attention to the light around you, you will forever suck at what you're trying to do..."
A lot of shots are simply shots of opportunity base on the subject matter, but also the weather, time and all sorts of stuff.
I can tell you one thing for sure... compared to 5 years ago (before I started taking photos) I walk around a regular normal day seeing the world in an entirely different way because I am looking at the light.
I also finally learned that the sensor on your camera will exaggerate whatever light or lack of light you see. A bright light will be 2-3 shades brighter on a digital camera. Something dark will be 2-3 times darker. The sensor on your camera doesn't have the same capability to pick up contrast as your eyeball does.
When you know that you can frame up your shots and get a lot more keepers just from that understanding alone.
This whole photography thing is for people who THINK and for those who are keen OBSERVERS.