Taking photos in the rainy season always brings a very unique feeling, not only for the photographer but also for the person enjoying the photo. Unlike the bright sunny days, after each rain, the city seems to put on a new coat. The colors become softer, the air is cool, the water vapor still lingers on the leaves and the road surface, along with small puddles reflecting the sky, the scenery and people. All these elements blend together to create a visual picture with a special appeal, both romantic and full of depth.

Taking photos in the rainy season gives photographers many opportunities to explore creative perspectives that are difficult to achieve in normal weather conditions. The reflection effect on the water surface is one of the elements that creates unique artistic value for this type of photography. It helps to transform seemingly familiar scenes into new ones, bringing visual depth and evoking strong emotions. Raindrops on the road, street lights reflecting on the water, or simply a person holding an umbrella passing by can all become the main character in a poetic work.

However, to fully exploit the beauty of rainy season photography, the photographer cannot just stand in front of a puddle and click the camera. To get a truly captivating photo, you need more than that: knowledge of composition, knowing how to choose the right light, shooting time and applying the right techniques. Understanding these factors will help you create reflective photos that are both sharp and emotional, so that each photo is not only beautiful in form but also conveys a unique story.

1. Ways to take photos during the rainy season to create reflections on the water surface

One of the simplest but most effective ways to take photos during the rainy season is to find puddles with flat, still surfaces. The quieter the water surface, the more obvious the reflection. Usually, puddles on the road, sidewalk, parking lot or in the park are ideal locations. In these places, the details of the surrounding scenery such as trees, buildings, street lights or the sky can be clearly reflected. When taking photos, you should lower the camera close to the water surface, so that the shooting angle creates a mirror effect. Placing the lens close to the water surface not only increases the reflection but also creates a sense of depth in the photo, making the viewer feel like they are being pulled into another world below the water surface.

Another popular and interesting technique is to invert the frame. This requires you to shoot with the reflection in the center of the photo, then rotate the image in post-production. When looking at the photo, the viewer will be surprised by the new perspective that this technique brings. The inversion method is especially effective in photos with reflections of cloudy skies, straight trees or tall buildings. The rotated image can confuse the viewer about what is real and what is a reflection, and it is this “visual trick” that creates a special appeal.

In addition, light also plays an important role in rainy season photography. Many photographers take advantage of the golden light of sunset or artificial light from street lamps and signs at night to create a shimmering reflection effect. When the warm light reflects on the wet surface of the street, combined with the silhouettes of people or vehicles, the photo will exude a beauty that is both romantic and lively. The warm tones in the cold context of the rainy season create an emotional contrast, making the viewer feel the warmth in the cold weather.

Another creative element you can use in rainy season photography is movement. The still surface of a puddle can be calming, but adding movement can make your photos more dynamic. For example, raindrops dripping into a puddle can create concentric ripples, or a person’s footsteps can accidentally spread the water surface, all of which can create unique highlights. To capture this moment, you need to adjust the shutter speed appropriately. Shutters that are too slow can blur the moment, but shutters that are too fast won’t capture the spread of the water waves. When you balance this element, you will have photos that both express the stillness and convey the liveliness of the scene.

In addition to the element of movement, rainy season photography also allows you to tell a story through reflections. For example, you can take a photo of a person walking by with an umbrella, with the real person at the top of the frame and the reflection in the puddle below. This combination creates a natural visual connection and adds depth to the photo. Sometimes, the reflection can even be more engaging than the actual image.

If you want to add impact, you can place an object in the center of the frame so that both the object and the reflection are clear. In rainy season photography, seemingly ordinary objects such as a bicycle parked on the side of the road, a soaked bouquet of flowers or a pair of muddy shoes can become valuable details. When both the real object and the reflection appear sharp, the photo will have a more balanced and harmonious feel.

What’s interesting is that you don’t necessarily have to look for large puddles. Sometimes, just a small puddle on the side of the road or on a manhole cover can reflect a miniature world of colors and shapes. It could be a cloudy blue sky, a silhouette of a pedestrian, or the neon lights from a sign. With the right angle, these small details will stand out and tell a unique story. That’s where the creativity in rainy season photography lies: finding beauty in seemingly ordinary things.

2. Four things to note when taking photos during the rainy season

To get the perfect rainy season photos, you need not only to be creative but also to pay attention to technical factors and protect your equipment. Rainwater and high humidity can seriously damage your camera, lens and electronic components. Therefore, the first thing to consider is to protect your equipment. Many professional photographers often carry a raincoat for their camera or a waterproof case to ensure safety. In addition, drying the camera immediately after shooting also helps to avoid mold in the long term.

Next is choosing the right time to shoot. Many photographers have found that the ideal time to take photos is right after the rain has stopped. At this time, the water surface is still calm, not disturbed by wind or passersby. At the same time, the sunlight is not too harsh, helping the photo retain a natural and soft reflection. If left too long after the rain, the water surface may become dirty or rippled, reducing the reflection effect.

In the rainy season, natural light is often weak, the sky is cloudy, leading to the colors in the photo being gray and lifeless. To overcome this, you need to adjust the camera parameters appropriately. A larger aperture will help capture more light, the shutter speed needs to be considered depending on the creative intention, and the ISO should be increased moderately to avoid graininess. If shooting at night, take advantage of artificial light sources such as street lights, signs or lights from stores to create highlights. Artificial light when reflected on the wet road surface will create bright light bands, bringing depth to the photo.

Finally, the element that cannot be ignored in rainy season photography is composition. An impressive reflection photo requires harmony between the elements of the leading line, the frame and the main subject. The leading line can be the sidewalk, the road or the row of trees, creating a feeling of leading the viewer's eye to the center of the photo. In addition, feel free to experiment with focusing on the reflection instead of the actual object. This technique creates an unexpected effect, forcing the viewer to pause longer to explore the photo and realize the hidden interest in it. It is these moments that make the viewer "think" that create the artistic and emotional value of a photo.

Taking photos in the rainy season is a challenge but also an opportunity for you to discover the beauty of simple things. Every puddle, every raindrop can become an endless source of inspiration if you know how to observe and exploit it. With the techniques and notes above, you can completely turn wet rainy days into creative opportunities, bringing back unique and