Versatility can mean the difference between getting the shot and not even taking the camera out of the bag. As photographers I am sure we have all heard the "when in doubt, don't go out" fraze when the topic of rain comes up. Luckily, there are a ton of great products out there to help with this. While many high end cameras have awesome weather sealing, most prosumer models do not. Personally I refuse to let a little weather keep me indoors and for the cost of that starbucks double espresso mint mochiato or what ever the fashion coffee is this week, you can keep that shutter rolling. There are several different rain covers available today from the Op/Tech rain sleeve for $6.50 to the $192 Porta Brace. I personally can not imagine paying $192 for a rain cover that in my opinion looks like it does the same job as the slightly more reasonable AquaTech for $139.
While not all camera covers are created equal, the cheapest could be considered disposeable, although I have gotten several uses out of mine this year. As many of you know I am a die hard camo junky and I am itching to get this camo cover for my camera. Unfortunilty B&H is down right now or I would post a pic and link.
Last weekend we had Tropical Storm Debby roll through Florida and create some pretty fun weather. It just so happened that I had a video tutorial planned for saturday with a few models showing for the fun. The rain litterally held off until i was unloading the equipment. Not a hard rain, but a nice little drizzle. Whats a photographer to do? Well I can not tell you what to do with your gear and I would never recommend going out and shooting in the rain with out some type of protection... But thats just what I did. What can I say, I love my D7000 and my 70-200 2.8. With the clouds rolling in and the lack of light I even got out the speedlight and umbrella, which tipped over and bent up the umbrella (note to self: you live in the land of sand, sand bags dude!!!).
So IF you are willing to chance a little weather and want to get out even with questionable weather, there are several solutions that can help you out. B7H and Adorama both sell some really nice protective covers to suit your needs.

Bring your photos to life

We have had some great entries for the month of may and I would like to congratulate them and thank everyone that participated. The Challenge page is about all of you. To get you out and shooting more, to think of photography in different ways, and to learn from each other.

So what does it take to bring your images to life? To go beyond the flat un-alluring shots we see so often? Well quite simple it is finding the angles and lines that bring the object out. shooting a car straight on can leave the viewer missing the whole picture but stand at a 45 degree angle and the car seems to jump out in the image. Houses, mountains, even the way we shoot wildlife can determine how a viewer will respond to the shot. finding the angles or the shapes in a frame takes practice but it will change the way others respond to your work.

These 2 images show how angles and shapes can play a role in you and others view the image. The image to the left shows a lot of angles and is shot from an angle which gives the image depth. the image to the right is shot straight on and has nearly no depth and much less visual stimulation.

The image above demonstrates how angles and shapes can add dimension as well as transition bringing life into the image. So while you are out and about with your camera, do yourself a favor and walk around the subject you are wanting to shoot. Find the best angle to shoot from, and find shots that have angles to them. many times the angles you chose will be a part of other rules actually such as the rule of leading lines, the rule of diagonals, and yes, even the rule of thirds. Just be aware that when you are shooting angles, you have to make sure the rest of the image is balanced and that you are not leaving a tom of dead space otherwise.