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Rainy weather on a wedding day can be a nightmare for some, but as a wedding photographer, it’s an open invitation to capture something truly magical. The rain light glow that follows a shower of rain can lend your wedding photography an added layer of depth and sentiment. But the question remains – how do you capture the ethereal glow around your couples? Well, with the right wedding photography tips and techniques, you can do just that! The stunning results could not only transport viewers into a timeless moment of love and intimacy but truly help set your portfolio apart. So, let’s explore ways to make the best use of the magical post-rain light in wedding photography.

How To Capture The Magical Rain Light Glow In Wedding Photography

1. Choose The Right Lens

Rainy day wedding photography requires you to use the right lens to ensure that you capture the magical and romantic mood that sets in after it showers. Shooting in low light conditions can be challenging, so selecting a lens with a wide aperture, such as f/2.8 or wider, can help let in more light and create a shallow depth of field for creative effects.

A wide-angle lens will allow you to capture more of the scenery and can help emphasize the dramatic effect of the rain and post-rain light. A 50mm or 85mm lens works for capturing rainy wedding portraits or close-up shots of raindrops on surfaces, while telephoto lenses are perfect for isolating specific details in the foreground or background. 

Additionally, you can use a polarizing filter to reduce reflections on wet surfaces and saturate colors, while an ND filter could help achieve long exposures for capturing the motion blur of raindrops. When capturing wedding photos when it rains, prepare your camera gear for wedding photography in the rain by investing in a rain cover for your camera to keep it dry and protected. 

2. Utilize Long-Exposure Techniques

A long exposure allows the camera’s shutter to remain open for an extended period, capturing more light and creating stunning visual effects like the motion blur of raindrops. Using the long exposure techniques, you can perfectly capture moments of intimacy between the newlyweds, like a kiss under the rain or holding each other tightly in the middle of a rainstorm.

To achieve this effect, set your camera to manual mode and select the lowest ISO setting possible. Consider using a tripod to ensure that your camera remains steady during the long exposure. Keep experimenting with shutter speeds to create different moods – a slower speed for creating a delicate and dreamy effect or a faster speed for capturing motion.

Suggested Read: From Meh To Magic: Mastering Long Exposure Portraits

3. Experiment With Different Lighting Techniques

One of the most captivating elements of natural light wedding photography is the stunning rain light glow from natural sources, such as sunlight or light reflected from surfaces like water or walls. For romantic natural light portraits, look for areas that receive a good amount of light. Adjust your camera settings to create a slight overexposure, which will highlight the raindrops and create a soft, dreamy aesthetic. Utilize different lighting techniques to get the desired natural wedding day rain effect.

You can also experiment with artificial light sources and flash photography tips to see how they affect your subject and environment. For example, lamps or spotlights can be used creatively to add directional lighting and create dramatic shadows. If you’re placing the bride or groom indoors, near a window for natural light portraits, try using a reflector or softbox to enhance the light. Plus, backlighting during a rainy day shoot will add depth and dimension to the raindrops, creating a timeless moment of love and intimacy. 

4. Get Creative With Different Angles & Photography Moods

Rain light can help create a range of moods, from dramatic and serene to whimsical and moody wedding photography. The mood created often depends on the technique used and the surrounding environment. For example, including dark clouds in the frame can enhance the moodiness of an image. Conversely, strong light can add depth and drama to rainy-day wedding photos, while soft light can create a gentle and quiet mood.

Creative rain photography tips to capture the different rain light glow and add an extra layer of emotion to your photos include:

• To capture a romantic mood, use soft lighting and focus on close-up shots of the couple holding hands or sharing a kiss under an umbrella.
   
• For a dreamy mood, try using a slower shutter speed and capturing the movement of raindrops, creating a surreal and ethereal atmosphere.
  
  
• Moody lighting can be achieved by using darker backgrounds and shadows, focusing on silhouettes, or creating a contrast between light and dark areas.
  
  
• To capture a whimsical mood, play around with backlighting and capture the raindrops in motion to create a magical and playful effect.

Different angles add uniqueness to your rain-light glow photos. Try changing your perspective, shooting from a low angle to get a different view of the environment, or using reflections of rain puddles to create interesting compositions. 

Suggested Read: The Art Of Moody Wedding Photography

5. Highlight Details With HDR Photography

HDR (high dynamic range) photography shines its brightest when tackling scenes with tricky lighting situations, such as rainy wedding days. Here, the light is muted, and even the faintest glow can dramatically transform your photos, adding an unexpected touch of magic.

Capturing multiple exposures can highlight all the details and nuances of the rain light glow, from the soft, diffused light to the deep shadows and highlights. By using HDR, you will be able to capture the full range of tones and colors present in the rain light glow. Don’t be afraid to get creative with your HDR shots – try juxtaposing dark, rainy clouds against the bright colors of spring blossoms, or experiment with framing a rain shot from interesting angles to enhance the dramatic effect of the rain.

Further Read: Wedding Photos In The Rain: Inspiration From ShootDotEdit Customers

Whether shooting indoors or outdoors, you can take advantage of the rain light glow to create stunning rainy wedding photos that stir emotions and tell a story. Indoor settings can allow for a more controlled environment with artificial lighting, whereas outdoor settings provide natural elements like trees and reflections that can enhance the mood of your photos. Now that you are armed with the photography and wedding lighting tips discussed in this blog, remember to thoughtfully frame your shots, experiment with different angles, and capture candid moments with your couple. So, when faced with a rainy wedding day, don’t shy away from it! Instead, embrace it as a golden opportunity to create something truly unique and beautiful.

At ShootDotEdit, we love bringing you resourceful tips that help you make the most of your time by doing what you love. To free up your time, we offer professional photo editing services that match your style. To learn more about how we can help your wedding photography business, check out our pricing plans.