Shutter Sisters

Sunday School: When Life Gives You Raindrops, Make Bokeh

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It’s been a cold, wet October here in the Windy City.  Summer never quite settled in, and we hoped she’d be back before Autumn took over the lease, but I think it’s time we collectively stopped holding our breaths.  No worries, though, because safely nestled in a warm car on a rainy day, you can catch some amazing bokeh.

So the next time it rains in your neck of the woods. grab a good mix CD (or whatever you mp3 mavens do for the car), jump in the nearest available windshield fortified vehicle, drive to a location with an interesting mix of colors and shapes (your driveway may work just fine), turn off the wipers and wait for just the right amount of raindrops to congregate on your windshield.  Soak in the dreamy creamy blur and start catching some magic.  To get the raindrops to bokeh (e.g. blur), make sure that you are not focusing directly ON the raindrops but either PAST the windshield on something outside or somewhere in FRONT of the raindrops (your toes on the dashboard, perhaps).  On the flipside, focusing on the raindrops themselves can get some interesting creamy bokeh of the outside as well.  The possibilities are just endless!

Catching bokeh in a rain shower is probably easiest done at night on a busy street with lots of street lamps, but I’m sure it can also be done during the day.  You can play around with the size of the bokeh by changing the distance of your lens from the windshield.  Generally, the closer your lens to the windshield, the bigger the bokeh.  You can also experiment with the shape of your bokeh by changing the size of your aperture.  The wider the aperture, the rounder your bokeh will be.  Or if you’re one of the lucky people who own a Lensbaby and their Creative Apertures Kit, you don’t need to limit yourself to circles and hexagons.

For those of you who live in the desert, I apologize.  Maybe you can hook up the sprinkler or something.

If you get a chance to try this out, we’d love to see your results.  Or share with us your favorite image made possible by rain.

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P.S. If you’d like to try a carbon neutral option, a clear umbrella works great, too!

Comments

  9. Since I live in the desert, I think I will go out and cool off (its currently 92 degrees) and practice some bokeh while my son waters the garden.
    Wishing you a picture perfect day!
    Patty

  10. Great idea, I’ve been fascinated by raindrops in the windows since I was little, but never took a photo of it. Will definitely try your idea.