Story Behind the Image | Rich Color in Stormy Weather

Shortly before I took this image I was sitting on some rocks by the side of a small stream waiting for a storm to pass me by. The rain was coming down in sheets and bursts of thunder cracked in the distance around me. I like this image because of the color and composition, but also because it reminds me of how much fun shooting pictures can be. The rain started to let up a little bit, so I left my shelter and continued on my adventure. I left the camera in my backpack where it would be protected from the rain that was still lightly falling.

Stormy weather can be a great opportunity to shoot photographs. This image was taken in the middle of the afternoon. Usually that time of day is a horrible time to shoot. The angle of the sun casts harsh shadows on its subjects and creates unflattering scenes. With the cloud cover of a storm the light becomes softer and the colors become richer.

As I walked past this patch of clovers and bamboo, the rain stopped. So I decided to take out my camera and do some more shooting. I like the high perspective in this image because it brings out the shape of the clovers. I composed it so the bamboo would rise out toward the edge of the frame. These natural lines act as a way to bring the viewer's eye to the focal point of the clovers. The water droplets give this image an added refreshing element, and the cloud cover from the storm makes the green vibrant and rich. This image was shot at f/4, for 1/60 sec. with a 70mm lens at ISO 320. It's one of my favorites, thanks for reading.

Nichole Shanks