Rainy Portraits in the Studio
Rainy days aren’t always the easiest days to get great photos for a whole bunch of reasons but with a bit of effort and a lot of luck, you can get amazing photos.
However if getting wet isn’t your thing, it’s surprisingly simple to bring the rainy weather inside and under your control.
In the video below I’ll show you how you can create a rainy day window portrait using a couple of flashes and some simple props.
The main thing you’ll need is a “window” and although you could use a real one I opted for a sheet of clear Perspex (also called Plexiglas or clear Acrylic). I’ve had my sheet for many years and it’s very scratched but still serviceable. www.wickes.co.uk/Wickes-Durable-Acrylic-Sheet-90cmx1-8m/p/210002
The video has two ways of using the “window”, shooting looking from the outside in and shooting from the inside, out. Both have their own unique feel and if you’re set for one, doing the other is quick and easy.
If you tried the technique yourself, do leave me a comment below and share your photo if it’s online somewhere.
It’s always a pleasure to have Beth Smith model for me. Check out her portfolio at https://purpleport.com/portfolio/bethsmithmodel/
Awesome tutorial as always Gav.
Nice idea and a really good work. It’s always a great fun to see, how little tricks are beginning to work.
Greetings from Unna (close to Dortmund) Germany.
Love it!! Always great videos!! Thank you.
Once again thank you, thank you, and yes thank you
Excellent tutorial. Love your videos.
Hi Gavin. Found your site about a year ago and now check in weekly from Aus for great tips and info. One meekly offered suggestion on this one – when creating reflections in Photoshop (or other graphics packages) reversing the reflection image is a good habit to get into. Not such an issue in this tutorial but with less blur it can make the difference between convincing and a give away if the “reflection” is more discernible. …..I now humbly retreat into the shadows.
Love this. Subscribed. Excited to learn more!!
Great stuff ,Gavin love your tutorials
I have tried this and find it almost impossible to loose my own reflection in the Perspex, help please 🙂
If the light from the flash doesn’t hit you, you won’t be lit. With the sort of camera settings I had, anything unlit will be unseen in the image. Remember, no flash = no photo so stay out of the light 😉
love it as I did you talk ? at Faversham Camera Club last night {25/05/2017} thank you
Thanks Leslie 🙂
Great video! I just found you and know I will learn so much from you!
You made me dust off my Photoshop manual and dive back into it. Although I took courses in college, we never went into the features as you do – and I love how you explain everything so simply. Thank you.
Gavin we love you !
You made me hunt my files for this shoot I did in 2013 https://purpleport.com/portfolio/andiewyatt/image/460760/photographer/?type=album&album=771&referrer=andiewyatt
The one problem I experienced was getting light reflections from directly behind my shooting position, solved the problem by hanging a black sheet from ceiling.
Hi, Gavin,
I’ve been following your videos for quite some time and I’m becoming more and more a fan. Thanks to this, I was able to improve myself and have a wider openness in creativity and technique. So a big thank you for all you teach us. Excuse me for my English
As usual, love your tutorials as your personality shows through!