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Lens hood
My lens hood has become a vital piece of kit over
the years. There is nothing worse than having toconstantly check and wipe the front element over when
it’s raining, and it’s also a godsend when the sun pops
out and you don’t have to use your hand as a sun
shield. As well as protecting my lens from the
elements, my trusty lens hood has saved me a fortune
on a number of occasions. Once I accidentally dropped
my camera on some rocks and if it wasn’t for the lens
hood, it could have caused some serious damage.
Technique
Gareth Mon Jones
Anglesey and Snowdonia-based astro and
landscape photographer, Gareth, has a
passion for being out in the elements.
North Wales is one of his favourite
locations. Back in 2019, Gareth was
awarded World Weather Photographer ofthe Year. See more at http://www.garethmon.com or follow him on
Facebook @garethmonphotography.
I love getting out to photograph in bad weather. It’s
the sense of adventure I get walking into remote
areas or the absolute thrill of trying to battle the
elements head on. I enjoy the challenge of trying to
capture Mother Nature with her teeth out while
knowing there is no one else about, but also praying
for a short break in the weather for some relief. That
said, you have to be prepared and having the
appropriate apparel for the elements is a good
starting point. A hot flask of tea and good packet of
biscuits (my choice is Hobnobs) will also keep
you motivated and energised. Patience is key –
some images are worth waiting around for, but you
also need to know when it’s time to walk away.
Safety
This tip might sound really boring, but I always let my wife know where I am
intending to go and for how long. Anglesey gets some really bad storms and
walking some of the headlands can be challenging, so having someone knowing
where you’re going is vital if anything were to go wrong on your outing in bad weather.