Thunder roars. Lightning flashes. Rain pours – and a photographer groans in dismay. To the serious shutterbug, few things can be as frustrating as getting bad weather during a rare photo-op. Most of us have gone through this agonizing experience, watching a scene helplessly as dark clouds and raindrops obliterate all hope of getting bright, sunny photographs. It’s a difficult situation indeed, prompting many shooters to stow their gear and grab a beer instead. We can’t control Mother Nature’s mood, but with a change of mindset and lots of creativity, we can make it work for us.

To make the most out of this rainy (shooting) season, check out these five practical tips:

1. Be prepared for the elements

A little rain never hurt anybody, the saying goes, and to some extent this can also apply to your photography equipment. For anything more than a drizzle, however, it is best to bring protection of some kind. A common way of “waterproofing” gear would be to cover your camera with a layer of Gladwrap, or simply keep it in a large plastic bag. Drape a length of cloth over the camera when you take it out to shoot, and try not to get the metal contacts on the flash hotshoe wet – it could lead to a short circuit! Don’t forget your personal rain gear, of course.

2. Look for color and detail

More often than not, clouds cover the sky during a bad weather day, blocking out direct sunlight and rendering everything in a dull, flat light. With careful attention to detail and color, new photo opportunities will present themselves.