The weather in the UK always seems to have a mind of its own—especially in Birmingham, where sunshine often gives way to gentle, lingering rain. But for me, such weather has never stopped me from pressing the shutter. In fact, it’s often the rain that makes my photos truly poetic. Rainy Birmingham feels like a tender black-and-white film—perfect for capturing and freezing those fleeting moments. To create high-quality photos in the rain, a solid set of photography gear and waterproofing strategies is absolutely essential.
1. Recommended Photography Gear: No Compromise on Quality
Camera: Balancing Portability and Image Quality
Low light on rainy days calls for a camera with excellent ISO performance. I often use the Sony A7IV full-frame mirrorless, which strikes a great balance between portability and image quality, handling low light and dynamic range impressively.
If you lean toward street photography, the Ricoh GR III is also a great option. Its 28mm prime lens excels in capturing urban street scenes and umbrellas in the rain—plus it’s compact and quick to shoot with.
Lenses: Prime vs. Zoom on Rainy Days
One major challenge in rainy photography is shooting quickly to minimize gear exposure. A fast prime lens like a 35mm f/1.4 gives beautiful shallow depth of field, making raindrops and splashes more textured. On the other hand, a 24–70mm zoom lens increases efficiency and saves you from frequent lens changes—a big plus in the rain.
Personally, I carry both a 50mm f/1.8 and a 24–105mm f/4, which cover a wide range of needs.
Tripods & Gimbals: Stability in the Rain
If you’re shooting night scenes or slow-shutter shots of rainy streets, a water-resistant tripod is vital. I recommend the Manfrotto BeFree Advanced Carbon series—light but sturdy. For video, the DJI RS 3 Mini gimbal keeps footage stable even in light rain.
2. Waterproof Accessories: Your Camera’s Umbrella
Camera Rain Cover: A Simple but Critical Step
Don’t underestimate a rain cover—it’s your first line of defense. I use the Peak Design Shell, which fits most mirrorless and DSLR cameras and still allows you to adjust focus and zoom while shooting.
No rain cover? Improvise with a clear plastic bag, cutting a hole for the lens and using a lens hood for added protection.
Lens Hood & UV Filter: Splash Guard and Protection
The front element is most vulnerable in the rain. Frequent wiping helps, but using a lens hood and UV filter minimizes direct contact with raindrops and reduces ghosting and blur from water spots.
Waterproof Camera Bag: Don’t Let Moisture In
I love my Lowepro Flipside AW series backpack, which is roomy and fully weather-resistant. It even includes a pull-out rain cover for extra protection.
Inside, I keep silica gel packs and microfiber cloths to keep everything dry and clean.
3. Clothing Tips: Stay Warm, Dry, and Stylish
Comfort directly affects your focus and mood while shooting. Here’s what I recommend for rainy-day sessions:
- Outerwear: Choose a waterproof, breathable 3-in-1 shell jacket like those from Columbia or Arc’teryx.
- Trousers: Go for quick-dry hiking pants to avoid soggy discomfort.
- Footwear: Waterproof hiking boots or rain boots provide grip and dryness on slick streets.
- Accessories: A hat, touchscreen-friendly gloves, and a quick-dry towel for your gear and hands are great add-ons.
4. Shooting Techniques: Let Raindrops Take Center Stage
Use Reflections
Wet pavements reflect city lights and umbrellas beautifully—especially at dusk or night. Use a wide-angle lens and low-angle shots to capture these rich, layered scenes.
Capture Falling Rain with Slow Shutter
Use an ND filter or reduce shutter speed below 1/15s to show the motion of rain streaks. A tripod is essential here, along with a remote shutter or timer to prevent camera shake.
Document Human Emotion
Umbrellas, damp coats, and strolling pedestrians make powerful, emotional subjects. Use a telephoto lens to capture candid moments while respecting privacy.
Shoot Through Windows or Shelters
When the rain gets heavy, seek cover in cafés, bookstores, or shop entrances. Shooting through glass—especially with water droplets—can create beautifully artistic and moody images.
5. Post-Processing: Amplify the Rainy Mood
Even a light drizzle can turn into an atmospheric masterpiece with the right editing techniques. Post-processing is essential to enhance the mood of your rain-drenched photos, making them truly stand out. Here’s how I typically approach enhancing rainy-day shots:
- Boost contrast and add vignettes to increase focus and drama.
By deepening the shadows and brightening the highlights, contrast can create a striking balance, emphasizing the textures of the wet pavement, umbrellas, or buildings. Adding a vignette around the edges helps draw the viewer’s attention directly to the subject, creating a more intimate and dramatic atmosphere, perfect for enhancing the emotion of the rain.
- Shift tones toward blue-green for a cool, modern city vibe.
To give the image that quintessential rainy-day look, I shift the overall tone towards cooler hues, like blue and green. These tones evoke a sense of calm, urban melancholy that complements the dreariness of a rainy day. Adjusting the white balance can help achieve this cool, crisp aesthetic, while maintaining a modern, almost cinematic edge to your photos.
- Brighten subjects selectively, like faces or umbrellas, to center attention.
While the rain creates an overall soft, moody tone, it’s important to maintain focus on key elements, such as people’s faces or colorful umbrellas. Using selective adjustment tools, I brighten or highlight these areas, ensuring they pop against the darker background. This technique helps to maintain visual interest and guide the viewer’s eyes to the central subjects of your composition.
- Add rain overlays or grain textures for a cinematic feel.
In post-processing, I often experiment with adding subtle rain overlays to give the illusion of heavier downpours, even if the photo was taken in light rain. Additionally, grain or film textures can be applied to mimic the look of classic films, giving your shots a nostalgic, cinematic quality. These small adjustments can significantly enhance the authenticity and atmosphere of your photos, making them feel like scenes straight out of a movie.
6. Must-Visit Rainy Day Photo Spots in Birmingham
1. Gas Street Basin Canals
The Gas Street Basin area, with its historic canals and cobblestone paths, transforms into a picturesque scene under the rain. As raindrops create ripples on the water’s surface, the reflection of street lights and bridges adds an enchanting atmosphere to your photos. This area is especially captivating during the evening when the glowing lights from nearby cafes and pubs bounce off the wet pavement and water, offering a perfect opportunity for long exposure shots that capture both the beauty of the reflections and the subtle motion of the rain.
2. Library of Birmingham Rooftop Garden
The Library of Birmingham’s rooftop garden provides a striking contrast between nature and architecture, especially in the rain. With the steel-and-glass structure of the library juxtaposed against the lush greenery, this spot is ideal for those who enjoy shooting geometric compositions and architectural details. On a rainy day, the misty sky adds a moody, cold tone to the cityscape, enhancing the sharp angles and lines of the building’s design. The mist created by the rain can soften the overall feel of the images, adding a mysterious and cinematic quality to your shots.
3. The Custard Factory Art District
This vibrant area, known for its colorful street art and quirky industrial buildings, comes alive in the rain. Graffiti-covered walls, vibrant murals, and artistic installations combined with the play of umbrellas and reflections in puddles offer endless creative possibilities. Whether you’re aiming for a contemporary street-style vibe or a more urban, edgy look, the Custard Factory’s eclectic mix of colors and textures makes it a perfect backdrop for rainy day photography. The rain adds an extra layer of emotion and energy to the already dynamic atmosphere, especially when combined with the bright pops of color from the murals.
4. Victoria Square
Victoria Square, with its stunning fountains, historical statues, and grand architectural details, is a must-visit for capturing the essence of Birmingham’s urban life under the rain. The rainwater pooling in the square adds an extra dimension to your shots, reflecting the grandeur of the buildings and the hustle and bustle of people moving through the square with umbrellas. The iconic Birmingham Town Hall and the Council House stand majestically in the background, creating a perfect blend of city life and architectural beauty. This spot is ideal for both wide-angle cityscapes and intimate portraits of people navigating the square during a rainstorm.
5. St. Philip’s Cathedral Lawn
St. Philip’s Cathedral, located in the heart of the city, offers a peaceful, historical ambiance that becomes even more captivating in the rain. The lush green lawn and towering cathedral create a majestic backdrop, while the addition of locals with umbrellas walking by adds a touch of everyday life. The rain softens the light, giving the scene a serene, cinematic feel that is perfect for capturing the juxtaposition of architecture and human life. The reflective puddles on the grass add a layer of depth to the image, making it a fantastic spot for capturing the timeless beauty of Birmingham’s architecture in a quiet, rain-soaked setting.
Rainy days can still mean epic photos.
So next time you see clouds gathering over Birmingham, don’t rush to pack away your camera. That award-worthy shot might be hiding just beyond the drizzle.
