Suggestions for overcast / rainy city shooting

Montaggio · Mar 14, 2017

I'm heading to Budapest next week and expect to have a bit of personal time to do some shooting. Based on the current forecast, it's likely to be overcast to rainy those days. Possibly more morning / evening than daytime. I'll go with a bit faster film than normal, but I tend to shoot Pan F or Acros, so that will likely mean 400. I could dial in a touch of over exposure. Any other thoughts on recommended filters that might be used to draw out the best of the conditions? I don't want to slug a lot of gear - keep it fairly portable. Alas, this means the GS-1 stays home and the F4S gets the nod. Thanks for any thoughts you might have.

MattKing · Mar 14, 2017

Rain can contribute to interesting reflections, as well as saturated colours.
Don't hesitate to shoot even if things seem dark - they may also be moody.
And clouds can be your friend:

Montaggio · Mar 14, 2017

Agree - hoping to turn crappy weather into an opportunity. Just need to be prepared. Forgot to mention - will be shooting solely black and white.

removed account4 · Mar 14, 2017

i can't speak to filters &c but wet overcast is the best weather to photograph, as far as i am concerned.
i'd take a 400 speed film ( take your pick they are all great ) and over expose 1 stop. if you use
some sort of filter just add that in to your factoring ..
have a great trip !

john

Paul Howell · Mar 14, 2017

May be hard to find in time in such a short time, but I travel with a weather resistant or proof point and shoot loaded with Tmax 400 and Kodacolor 400. Minolta made a model that can used underwater with a duel lens 35 and 80mm, Pentax a WR point and shoot zoom, I used it extensively when last in Paris. Both will fit into a pocket.

Montaggio · Mar 14, 2017

Great idea - I've got a Nikonos V! I never get a chance to use it - may have to squeeze it in!

Sirius Glass · Mar 14, 2017

Use ISO 400 film at box speed. You may want to overexpose some shots by one stop, but no more than that.

etn · Mar 14, 2017

I have a hard time imagining what kind of filter would be useful for this kind of weather. A light yellow would certainly not do any harm, if you happen to have one permanently attached to your lens (like many BW shooters). But an orange filter definitely takes too much light (-2 stops), which can be too scarce even when using a 400 film.

I personally never use filters in rainy/overcast conditions (or just a clear UV filter for protection, yes I'm paranoid )

What do you guys do?
Thanks!

ac12 · Mar 14, 2017

I need help.
WHY would you over expose in rainy weather by 1 stop?
The meter should take care of the light reduction, so I am obviously missing something.

Sirius Glass · Mar 14, 2017

ac12 said:
I need help.
WHY would you over expose in rainy weather by 1 stop?
The meter should take care of the light reduction, so I am obviously missing something.

A shot in the dark for the testinestas to over expose the highlights. I stick to box speed and mever have a problem.

Alan Gales · Mar 14, 2017

If it was me I'd bring the GS-1 and a 65mm lens instead of the Nikon. I'd also bring backs loaded with both b&w and color film. Of course this is if it was me.

I can only imagine the photo opportunities that you will find in Budapest. Enjoy yourself!

Kevin Caulfield · Mar 14, 2017

I would suggest a lot of night time photography, with reflections of street lights and car headlights in puddles.

fstop · Mar 14, 2017

Montaggio said:
Agree - hoping to turn crappy weather into an opportunity. Just need to be prepared. Forgot to mention - will be shooting solely black and white.

that's too bad, overcast/grey weather makes colors pop.The best way to portray a city as dirty and depressed is to shoot it in b&w.

Gerald C Koch · Mar 14, 2017

On overcast days the contrast is lower so under expose a bit and over develop. Shadows, if they exist at all, will be weak. Since shadows tend to be blue use a light yellow or orange filter.

Kawaiithulhu · Mar 15, 2017

ac12 said:
I need help.
WHY would you over expose in rainy weather by 1 stop?
The meter should take care of the light reduction, so I am obviously missing something.

I think that the reasoning to that rule of thumb is that it's "better" pictorially to keep the misty grays predominate in the scene a bit brighter, unless you're really looking for an oppressive feel.

Pentode · Mar 15, 2017

Gerald C Koch said:
On overcast days the contrast is lower so under expose a bit and over develop. Shadows, if they exist at all, will be weak. Since shadows tend to be blue use a light yellow or orange filter.

I do this, too; Light or medium yellow filter if I want to get some of the contrast back. If I like the lower contrast, I'll leave things pretty much as usual. If, as Gerald pointed out, I'm looking to get a little boost in contrast I'll use yellow and use a faster film to get the speed back that I lost to the filter.

RichardJack · Mar 15, 2017

You shouldn't have any problems at all. I'd carry two bodies with different films, and several f2 or faster primes. No need to over or under expose or even push. I use TMY2 @ ISO400, a 24/2, 35/2, 85/1.4, & 135/2 and love foggy gloomy days. Use a UV filter to keep your glass dry. A yellow filter won't help much without sunlight, increase your contrast in your printing or photoshop.

Colin Corneau · Mar 15, 2017

I'll be the contrarian and suggest you pack some 400 film (TMY, Tri-X, HP5/Delta) and PUSH it a stop or two. Shoot it at EI-800 or 1600.

The added contrast will pull some contrast and character from flat, dull lighting (I'm thinking of overcast dull and dark daylight hours, here) and give you an extra stop or two of shutter speed to prevent handshake in night-time shooting.

Eric Rose · Mar 15, 2017

Indoor nudes.

Patrick Robert James · Mar 15, 2017

Skip the waterproof cameras unless you are planning a dip in the Danube- I wouldn't recommend that. If you can, take a tripod. Skip the filters too, especially if you skip the tripod.

quixotic · Mar 15, 2017

I always pray for middle altitude clouds (stratus) whenever I go on holiday, so you may be lucky. Hopefully, you get just a few showers instead of rain.

LAG · Mar 16, 2017

Montaggio said:
Any other thoughts on recommended filters that might be used to draw out the best of the conditions? ... Thanks for any thoughts you might have.

There are lots of filters I would carry with me for that weather (star filter, twilight, tobacco ...), but most of them depend on your ideas & your time. A polarizer at least would come in handy and would be the first and only if I had to carry only one with me.

As for the film, if I may add, take all the film you can with you (that includes PanF for those quite moments you may have at your hotel, from the window... you never know), film does not weight too much! Take it is better than miss it.

Have fun & enjoy the views!

jeffreyg · Mar 16, 2017

It can still be quite bright with an overcast sky. Misty rain and fog are some of my favorite conditions bringing out subtle tones and textures. I suggest 400 speed film, light orange, yellow and light green filters, cable release, a lens hood and large ZipLok bags. Add to your gear a waterproof jacket and shoes. A couple of years ago on a trip to Iceland it rained every day. The light rain was no problem but the heavy wind was challenging. I mostly used a tripod and had no water damage to the cameras just zipped the bags closed around the lens shade. Have large enough bags so you can focus and make camera settings. I guess I was a site out in the rain with a camera and tripod but I got some very nice images.

http://www.jeffreyglasser.com/

TheToadMen · Mar 16, 2017

How about going Are-Bure-Boke style (Japan, 70's) with a simple half-frame camera (like Olympus Pen-F or a cheap Olympus Pen-EE for $10) with Tri-X or HP5+ pushed to 1600 ASA and develop in Rodinal?

For an example, click here.

RalphLambrecht · Mar 19, 2017

Montaggio said:
Agree - hoping to turn crappy weather into an opportunity. Just need to be prepared. Forgot to mention - will be shooting solely black and white.

if you are hoping for some cloud or sky detail ,a graduated neutral density filter may be your only hope but you can combine it with a yellow or orange filter to amplify the effect.

Suggestions for overcast / rainy city shooting

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