Taking photos in the rain with my Leica M11 a few weeks ago was an interesting experience. A lot of people online who saw my photos thought they looked amazing but were worried about bringing their pricey Leica gear out in the rain. Rainy day photography with the Leica M11 – well, the camera isn’t waterproof, but these keep in mind these cameras are incredibly well-built and rugged. You shouldn’t be afraid to take them out in bad weather. Sure, they’re expensive, but they’re tough tools designed for all kinds of conditions. What I’ve learned is that some of the best shots can happen in the rain. Just take basic care to keep them from getting too wet.
Equipment and Settings for Rainy Day Photography with the Leica M11
Shooting in the rain means you need to think about both your gear and your settings to get clear shots while keeping everything safe. Here’s how I did it:
My Camera Settings:
- ISO Settings: I set the ISO to auto exposure. This let the camera adjust to the changing light while I focused on other settings to keep the ISO from going too high.
- Aperture Settings: It was dark and gloomy, so I set the aperture to the lowest my Summicron 35mm ASPH lens would go, which is f/2. This wasn’t to get a shallow depth of field but to let in more light because it was getting darker by the minute.
- Shutter Speed: To avoid motion blur and freeze the raindrops, I set the shutter speed at 1/500s. The resulting ISO was 6400, which is higher than I would have liked but I’ve found the large sensor of the Leica M11 with the huge 60 megapixel sensor needs a bit higher shutter speed to keep images sharp from motion blur. I probably should have used 1/350s or even 1/250s. Regardless, there’s very little crop in this image and it still looks great at ISO 6400.
- White Balance: I always set the white balance to auto and adjust the RAW file later in Lightroom to get the colors just right.
Additional Equipment:
- Wrist Strap: I’m a wrist strap shooter instead of a neck strap type, which made it easier to maneuver, especially when holding an umbrella.
- Thumb Grip and Half Case with Finger Grip: These helped me shoot one-handed, giving me a firm grip on the camera while keeping the other hand free to hold the umbrella.
- Umbrella: A large umbrella was crucial here to keep both me and the camera dry. I got a few drops on the camera here and there but nothing too wet.
- Lens Hood: This protected the lens from raindrops and reduced lens flare.
With these settings and equipment, my Leica M11 was ready to capture some amazing rainy day shots.
Techniques for Rainy Day Photography with the Leica M11
Getting the right mood and atmosphere in rainy day photos requires some specific techniques to make the images pop.
Tips for Focusing and Exposure:
- Manual Focus: The Leica M11 is fully manual, so I pre-focused on the nearby umbrellas to make sure my subjects were sharp and waited for subjects to enter the frame.
- Exposure Settings: I set the camera to expose for highlights, making sure the bright areas in my photos didn’t get blown out.
Image Analysis and Techniques Applied
This shot captures a vibrant street market scene in heavy rain in the Philippines. The colorful umbrellas contrast beautifully with the dark, wet street, making the image really stand out. The rain adds texture and atmosphere, and the reflections on the wet pavement add depth and complexity. I feel the composition uses leading lines effectively, with the row of umbrellas guiding the viewer’s eye through the frame, while various elements in the foreground and background add layers of interest.
Creative Techniques:
- Reflections in puddles and wet surfaces add depth and interest to the photo.
- Raindrop textures on surfaces highlight their intricate patterns and contribute to the overall atmosphere.
Composition Tips for Rainy Day Photography with the Leica M11
Composition is key in photography to convey the mood and story of the scene.
Ideas for Interesting Compositions:
- Foreground Elements: Including things like umbrellas, wet leaves, and streetlights can add layers and depth to the image.
- Leading Lines: Using paths, roads, and streams can lead the viewer’s eye through the image.
- Framing: Framing the subject with elements like doorways, windows, and arches can create a sense of intimacy.
Post-Processing for Rainy Day Photography with the Leica M11
Editing the photo brought out mood and clarity, making my rainy day shot even more captivating. That said, I try to do as little post-processing as possible because if there’s one thing I dislike it’s an overly enhanced, overly sharp photograph. Here’s what I usually do, but remember, there are a million ways to edit a photo, and they’re all valid.
Suggested Editing Techniques:
- White Balance Adjustment: I usually adjust the white balance since the Leica M11’s RAW files tend to be too magenta. I often do this by spot-selecting a neutral gray in the photo or the shaded part of a white object.
- Highlight and Shadow Adjustments: I usually tame the highlights and lift the shadows, depending on the image.
- Tone Curve Adjustments: I usually add medium contrast in the Lightroom tone curve, but this varies with each photo.
- Contrast and Clarity: Boosting contrast and clarity helps to define raindrops and textures. Not much, just enough.
- Color Adjustment: I love the old Kodachrome film look, so my color adjustments will often reflect that.
- Noise Reduction: I apply noise reduction sparingly, if at all, to keep detail without adding softness.
Conclusion
Rainy day photography with the Leica M11 can yield stunning results with the right techniques and shooting practices. By following these tips, I think I have captured the unique beauty of a rainstorm in the urban Philippines while still keeping my gear safe. So, don’t let a little rain stop you – embrace the weather, and let your creativity shine through the raindrops.