Seven strategies for enhancing your photo sessions during adverse weather conditions:

Weekly Photography Tips: From Rainbows to Night Sky Shoots

Hey shutterbugs! Excited to share some weekly photography tips that'll polish your skills and help capture stunning shots, exclusively available on our Member Page. We'll dish out seven tips each week, a mix of photography tricks, quotes, and challenges, but don't fret - our paid Members still get a good dose!

Let's dive into a few tips to skyrocket your landscape photography game:

1. Locate the Rainbow Opposite the Sun

This one's a no-brainer, but it’s a game-changer if you ain't already in the loop! Whenever you're photographing in both rainy and sunny conditions, snoop around in the direction opposite the sun. That's where the rainbow will entice you if it pops up. (Note: If the sun’s blazing high, the rainbow will be low, like at the edge of a canyon, making it hard to see unless you're perched there).

2. Catch the "Pink Hour"

Photographers go gaga over the Golden Hour and the lesser-known Blue Hour. But what is the infrequent "Pink Hour"? It’s just a passing phase, stickin' around for a few minutes max, but the whole sky can transform into a stunning shade of pink! The "Pink Hour" happens on overcast days with ground-level clouds or fog and thin, high-altitude clouds. It generally occurs before the official sunrise or after sunset, and although it may be elusive, it's worth setting your alarm for the magical moments it offers.

3. The Full Moon Stays Put

When you're planning Milky Way photography, the full moon can be a real showstopper. Not only is it eye-catching, but it’s also perpetually above the horizon all night long, making it impossible to evade. But don't sweat it, a half moon or crescent moon will sing their swan song below the horizon for at least part of the night, which provides the perfect opportunity for Milky Way shots.

4. Know When the Milky Way Core Rises Highest

Curious about night sky photography? You'll want to know when the core of the Milky Way shines its brightest in the sky. The answer? During June and July (around June 20th), both in the Northern and Southern Hemisphere. Although night sky photography is certainly possible at other times, if you're planning to explore around June/July, double-check the moon schedule and mark your calendar for a Milky Way photo sesh!

5. Fog Ravages in the Morning

Mistake alert! Many photographers erroneously believe that sunrise and sunset are interchangeable. But here's the shocking truth: sunrise is usually the better choice for photography, thanks to morning fog. Dew accumulates overnight, only to evaporate under the sun’s morning rays, resulting in some breathtaking photographs you wouldn't imagine capturing at any other time of day.

6. Forest Fires, Volcanic Eruptions, and Pollution: A Double-Edged Sword

This tip's a mixed bag - bad because catastrophes ain't fun, good because they can lead to vibrant colors in your photos. Specifically, forest fires, volcanic eruptions, and high levels of pollution in the atmosphere can result in more intense colors during sunrise and sunset. While this could mean some unique snaps, exercise caution and avoid spending extended periods in poor air quality conditions.

This Week's Quote:

"Bad weather makes for good photography."

— Anonymous (or maybe Ansel Adams, we're not sure)

Whether it's attributed to Ansel Adams or not, embrace this sentiment! I've personally captured half of my favorite photos in less-than-perfect weather conditions - from sandstorms to frigid cold shots. Unpredictable weather often ignites extraordinary moments in photos, so don't shy away from stepping out into the wild and capturing the madness, safe and sound, of course!

To enhance your night landscape photography, adjust your camera's ISO settings to capture the milky way or night sky shots more effectively.
Travelling during the months of June and July can offer great opportunities for capturing stunning night sky shots, as the Milky Way core rises highest during these months in both the Northern and Southern Hemisphere.
To avoid the light of the full moon from ruining your Milky Way photographs, consider scheduling your night sky shoots around the phases of the moon, such as a half moon or crescent moon, which will be below the horizon for part of the night.
For capturing breathtaking landscape photographs during travel, keep in mind the concept of the "Pink Hour," which occurs before official sunrise or after sunset on overcast days with ground-level clouds or fog, and high-altitude thin clouds.
If you're photography enthusiast planning to capture a sunrise shot, consider traveling during mornings instead of evenings, as morning fog can create unique and stunning landscape photographs that might be difficult to capture at other times of the day.
Keep in mind that certain environmental factors, such as forest fires, volcanic eruptions, and high levels of pollution in the atmosphere, can lead to vibrant colors during sunrise and sunset, resulting in unique and colorful landscape photographs. However, always prioritize safety before capturing these shots.