How to photograph Rainbows?

[AMediaLuz]

How do you capture the full spectrum of colours from a rainbow?

Saw a rare and nice one sometime on 21st Mar when I was around Bukit Timah area, but when I try to make a shot, usually only one or two colors turned up in the photos - eg. can only see an orange arc instead of the full color spectum. I tried a few different whitebalances, but dont seem to be able to capture what I see. :cry:

Hai...dunno when can see a rainbow in Singapore again...

 

[navlem]

I'm not sure too, my rainbow captures are mostly proper..

Maybe try metering for the sky, shoot in raw.

 

[pat33]

I don't remember doing anything special. I just adjusted pic control to vivid and took the shot as per normal.

 

[jlkk76]

How do you capture the full spectrum of colours from a rainbow?

Saw a rare and nice one sometime on 21st Mar when I was around Bukit Timah area, but when I try to make a shot, usually only one or two colors turned up in the photos - eg. can only see an orange arc instead of the full color spectum. I tried a few different whitebalances, but dont seem to be able to capture what I see. :cry:

Hai...dunno when can see a rainbow in Singapore again...

normally we just aim n shoot!

perhaps u like to show us the image?

 

[seankyh]

Were you using a polarizing filter?

 

[pat33]

Why dont you post your shot. Its might be easier to offer comments and advice after looking at it.

 

[Lolrence]

Normally, I'm lazy... I'll just meter at the colours, then shoot, and pump up the saturation in Photoshop

But rightfully, you should meter for the greens (grass/trees) since they are close to 18% grey.

 

[CaravanDuke]

Noob question here: if I resort to the Kelvin scale, what setting should I go for? (normally I will first meter the sky )

 

[Octarine]

Noob question here: if I resort to the Kelvin scale, what setting should I go for? (normally I will first meter the sky )

Use the Kelvin value that is appropriate for your situation - The WB setting also depends on the time of the day as light is changing. I suggest you better stick to the generic presets like "Daylight", "Cloudy" etc. Use Kelvin only if you got the exact colour temperature, e.g. when using specific light equipment.