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Thermal wellies
Standing around in puddles,
streams and snowdrifts will
be uncomfortable at the best
of times and normal
Wellingtons or leather walking
boots have very little in the
way of thermal properties. Get
a good pair of neoprene-lined
wellies with a strong sole unit.
Aigle does a very good thermal
hunting boot.Chamois cloth
I have always carried a
chamois cloth with me to wrap
around my camera and lens,
to help protect them from the
rain, snow or even sea spray.
More recently I have been
using a piece of leather with
Velcro tabs for ease of use.
Plastic camera covers have
always seemed bulky and
impractical to me.BEST KIT
Visualise in black & white
So many bad weather days lack any meaningful
colour that working in black & white can free up
the creative in you. Monochrome is a different way of
seeing and working, and will open up new possibilities.
With a lack of colour, the basics become much more
important and thinking in terms of tone, texture,
contrast and shape are key to a successful image. Also
be aware of what is possible with a mono image in
post-production, and take a look at specialist black &
white software such as Silver Efex Pro.Take a closer look
If inclement weather and poor light stop you
shooting the big view, look for a ‘micro
landscape’, a close-up shot or an abstract. Landscape
photography is not all about grandeur and large,
sweeping vistas. A thick bank of fog may stop you
shooting a distant view, but it will certainly give you
perfect soft lighting for a detail or close-up image.Subject choice
Choose the subject matter that suits the weather
conditions. For instance, castle ruins withbrooding stormy skies; abbeys peacefully nestling in a
bank of fog; lighthouses with stormy seas; large open
vistas with approaching storm clouds. Find a location,
do a recce and stick to the plan. You have to be ready
and waiting for the precious few moments where the
weather, light and location all play ball. Perseverance is
key when working in conditions that don’t favour you.
Embrace the grey
Try to get away from the concept of just shooting pretty
sunrises and sunsets. Grey, overcast days can work
well but it does all depend on your subject matter and
the treatment you give to the image. Overcast days can
lead to shadowless, low-contrast soft lighting which can
be ideal for woodland interiors, waterfalls or even
coastal shots. Coupled with a LEE Filters ‘Big Stopper’
and a neutral density grad, at grey landscapes and
seascapes can take on a whole new look.