Whatever The Weather
Can You Keep Shooting?
by Ken Beattie
here are two parts to the answer. First, protect your camera and other equipment. Digital cameras are susceptible to moisture. Rain, salt spray from ocean waves and blowing dust or sand will have negative results on your valuable cameras.
" First, protect your camera and other equipment. Digital cameras are susceptible to moisture. Rain, salt spray from ocean waves and blowing dust or sand will have negative results on your valuable cameras...The second part is personal comfort. Planning is the overall answer."
The simplest solution is to shield the equipment with an umbrella, your jacket, a handy building, a tree, or shoot from any other protected location. Examples include shooting out an open car window in a rainstorm or under an awning in the desert to prevent lens flare.
In extreme conditions, you could make a plastic raincoat that covers everything except the lens. Cover the lens with a skylight filter and clean it frequently. The ultimate might be to use an underwater housing to capture a hurricane's power.
The second part is personal comfort. Planning is the overall answer. For this, it is important to do two things. First, explore the location a few days before the shoot. Go to each area you want to take pictures. When on holidays you may have to just shoot as you go but you can still anticipate what conditions you might run into. If your trip is on the African Savannah your clothing and gear would be different than when photographing penguins in the Antarctic.
Dallas Road Storm
Umbrella
Final thing is local customs can affect what to wear and even if you can take pictures at all. Again, research pays off. In extreme or unstable political countries, it might be necessary to hire a guide or bodyguards. More likely for professional photographers but who knows? Your photos might be in the next National Geographic edition.
Unexpected Hail
Blowing Leaves
Keep Shooting.
