Sunday School: When Life Gives You Raindrops, Make Bokeh

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

[renee @ FIMBY]

carbon neutral option cracked me up. I took this photo last December waiting I was waiting in the car while my family was shopping:
http://fimby.tougas.net/rainy-December-bokeh

[renee @ FIMBY]

meant to say "carbon neutral option" cracked me up - the phrase not the actual photo, which was lovely.

[Kirsty-Abu Dhabi]

Yeah, no rain in the desert!! Booo - and no sprinkler in an apartment - maybe I can get the kids to play with squirty bottles!!! Love that pic though

[Jess]

Excellent inspiration! Now I'm actually hoping for another cold, rainy day... instead of dreading it.

This happened last spring at a stop light - I love how it turned out looking a little like poppies.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/theloushe/3455822924/

[Elizabeth Harper]

I've got a bit of bokeh in the third photograph...it's subtle, but lovely and sets a dreamy tone.

http://giftsofthejourney.wordpress.com/2009/10/17/turning-over-a-new-leaf-seeing-the-other-side/

[Beryl]

I have fond memories of spending a rainy day last spring at the local used bookstore. I didn't get a whole lot of rain bokeh here but you can see that it's just starting to collect on my windshield:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/berylayn/3418929578/in/set-72157614677467570/

I am excited to try this out again on our next rainy evening. On a side note, you've totally made me want the lensbaby!
~B
http://www.bellarose-photography.com

[Liz]

i don't have bokeh, and my favoritest rain pic is on film and i haven't gotten the scanner working, but here is one i like muy mucho:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/lilybeth29/2529494177/in/set-72157601159455456/

[kirsten]

Ah, beautiful!! Plenty of opportunities in Seattle. My heart flipped when I saw the title of the post this morning because just yesterday, I shot and processed this beauty, then added it to the Shutter Sisters Flickr group:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/kirstenmichelle/4020246749/

Rain + Bokeh = YUMMY!!

[Patty Reiser]

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

[Elisa Nishimura]

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.

[cigi]

This will be my first winter living in the beautiful California desert. As spectacular as it is here, I already miss the rain!

This is from last year:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/41963750@N05/3871654897/in/set-72157622191225216/

[Puna]

This is gorgeous.

[Jane DeGross]

This is one of my favorites from this fall.

http://justplainjane-jane.blogspot.com/2009/10/5050-33.html

[Caroline]

I love trees in the rain...this shot is more abstract...but I love it!

http://www.flickr.com/photos/nowordz/4012990998/

[bella]

i'm obsessed with taking pictures ~after~ it rains!

http://www.flickr.com/photos/cirovic/3573592555/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/cirovic/3578572868/

[jakki]

I love capture the rain drops!

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3069/2866812338_8dae0875b5_o.jpg
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3578/3338379489_77851048dc_o.jpg

[jakki]

woops...I always have trouble with links!

http://www.flickr.com/photos/valeenwashington/2866812338/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/valeenwashington/3338379489/

[Jeannette]

I'm actually contemplating asking for Photoshop Elemtns for Christmas just to see what I can do with this texture:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/7550209@N04/3949653036/

[Julie Alvarez]

I know I've done this. But all I seem to be able to find, is the opposite effect:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/juliealvarez/3339006819/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/juliealvarez/3338993889/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/juliealvarez/3522464912/

[sarah]

here is one that has nice bokeh, but the opposite of what you describe. next time it rains, i am excited to try this idea!
http://www.flickr.com/photos/bradleysofaustin/3995066371/

[sarah]

ok, here is one more!
http://www.flickr.com/photos/bradleysofaustin/3903800603/

[kristin]

you saved my 365 tonight with this idea.
XO thanks!

http://www.flickr.com/photos/14811117@N02/4041759808/