Filming in the Rain – When the Weather Doesn’t Read the Call Sheet

There’s a romantic idea of filming outdoors: golden light, still air, obedient clouds.
Reality, especially in the UK, is drizzle… turning into proper rain… just as you press record.

Rain doesn’t mean filming stops. It just means filming changes.

🌧️ The Enemy Isn’t Rain – It’s Moisture Where You Don’t Want It

Cameras are tougher than we give them credit for, but water in the wrong place ends a shoot very quickly. A few basics make all the difference:

• Rain covers – proper ones if you have them, plastic bags if you don’t

• Lens hoods – not just for flare; they keep droplets off the front element

• Microfibre cloths – plural, because the first one gets wet instantly

If the rain is light, you can often keep filming between showers and wipe down between takes. Heavy rain? Change your plan, not your pride.

🎙️ Audio Suffers Before Video

Video can look moody in the rain. Audio usually sounds dreadful.

• Raindrops on jackets = percussion section you didn’t ask for

• Wind + rain = microphone misery

• On-camera mics are usually the first to give up

Lavalier mics under clothing, furry windshields, or even recording audio separately under shelter can save a project.

☁️ The Light Is Actually… Quite Nice

Overcast rain clouds act like a giant softbox. No harsh shadows, no squinting subjects, and very even exposure. It’s not dramatic sunshine – but it’s forgiving, especially for faces.

Rainy footage also works brilliantly for:

• Cutaways

• Atmosphere shots

• Time-lapse sequences

• “Behind the scenes” moments

Sometimes the weather adds character you didn’t plan for.

🧠 The Real Skill: Knowing When to Stop

There’s a fine line between dedication and stupidity (most camera operators learn this the wet way).

If:

• Water is getting inside connectors

• Lenses are fogging internally

• You’re rushing and making mistakes

…that’s your cue to stop, dry everything properly, and live to film another day.

🎬 Final Thought

Rain doesn’t ruin filming. Unprepared filming ruins filming.

With a bit of planning, a sense of humour, and a towel or two, wet-weather shoots can produce some of the most atmospheric footage you’ll ever capture.