When It Has Rained for 50 Days Straight What Do You Do?

You arrive in London and it has not stopped raining. The pavement is slick. The sky is grey and heavy. The forecast looks identical every morning of your trip. You check the weather app again, hoping for sun, and get another rain icon show up.

If you are planning a London trip, this is likely your fear. Even in the summer months it’s not uncommon to have rain in London. You imagine blue skies, and beautiful sunsets, but end up with washed out skies and dull photos. You worry that every iconic view has already been photographed a million times in better light and now you are stuck photographing an iconic landscape in the rain.

There is nothing worse then traveling and being hit with bad weather. I have stood in that drizzle in London more times than I can count. And I can tell you something you might not expect. London rain photography can be more powerful than blue sky perfection.

Rain does not ruin your photos. It changes how you see London.

A million photos of Big Ben are taken every year, but a reflection of Big Ben with someone jumping a puddle is truly unique. That scene will never happen again!

Why Rain Is Your Advantage

When you commit to London rain photography, you stop fighting conditions and start using them.

Cloud cover acts like a natural diffuser. Light becomes soft and even. Harsh shadows disappear. Stone buildings glow instead of glare. Skin tones look smoother. Glass reflects more deeply.

And then there are reflections.

Rain transforms streets into mirrors. Puddles become frames. Asphalt becomes canvas. Neon signs stretch across wet ground. Headlights streak through shallow pools.

You are not photographing same postcard everyone else has. You are photographing mood.

So today, I am hoping to show you how bad weather doesn’t need to mean you leave London without any good photos of your trip. I walked 20,000 steps across London in the rain, to show you what’s possible.

Photographing Iconic Spots That Have Been Done a Million Times

You are going to visit places like Westminster, St Paul’s, Covent Garden. Everyone does. You will stand where thousands have stood before.

So what makes your London rain photography different?

Angle. Patience. Reflection.

Instead of pointing camera straight at Big Ben, lower it. Search for puddles along the curb. Get close to the ground. Let the reflection become the main subject and the tower appear upside down (although I like to flip mine in post production).

When you shift focus to reflection, you create tension. The viewer looks twice. Familiar becomes abstract. This is a unique picture.

To capture this image I spent ten minutes crouched beside a shallow pool near Parliament. Tourists hurried past under umbrellas. I waited for the right movement, the right person and then when someone interesting crossed I pressed that shutter in the hope of telling a more compelling story. What do you think?

A reflection of Big Ben in a puddle — *This is so much more interesting then another shot of Big Ben*

You are not competing with perfect weather photographers. You are creating something moodier and more personal.

Working With Cloudy London Skies

Cloudy weather photography in London is not about dramatic sunsets. It is about subtle tones.

Grey sky become a backdrop rather than the subject. Use architecture to fill the frame. Let buildings dominate and sky simply support.

You will notice that brick, stone, and metal textures stand out more under overcast conditions. Details emerge without distraction.

If the sky feels too flat, crop tighter. Focus on reflections, doorways, arches, windows glowing against dull light.

London in rain has depth that clear days sometimes lack. Mood matters more than color.

*Reflections don’t just have to be on the ground*

Reflections Change How You See Streets

If you are serious about improving your London rain photography, start looking down more often.

Reflections are everywhere. Bus stops. Black cabs. Shop signs. Street lamps. All of it doubles when the pavement is wet.

Walk slowly. Scan the ground as much as the skyline.

You might see reflection of St Paul’s in a small puddle near a curb. You might catch the outline of London Eye shimmering in a puddle after rainfall.

When you shoot reflections, try different approaches. Get low so reflection fills frame. Or compose scene where reflection takes bottom half and real subject occupies top half.

Sometimes I prefer reflection more than actual building. It feels impressionistic. Almost painted.

You are telling story of atmosphere, not architecture.

Umbrellas, Movement, and Human Element

Rain changes how people move. That shift adds life to your photos.

Umbrellas create shape and color. Coats add texture. People lean into wind. Couples huddle closer.

In London rain photography, including human element brings scale and emotion. Without people, reflection can feel static. With movement, it becomes dynamic.

You can do the same. And a top tip, use slower shutter speeds to blur movement slightly while reflections stay sharp. It adds motion without chaos.

Gear That Helps in Rain

If you are planning to photograph London in rainy weather, prepare properly.

You need weather protection. A simple rain cover for camera or even compact waterproof jacket can save stress. Microfiber cloths are essential. Wipe lens often. Rain drops on glass can either ruin image or add texture depending on how you use them.

I carry small towel in my bag. Sounds basic. Makes huge difference.

Comfort matters too. Waterproof shoes change everything. If your feet are soaked, patience disappears quickly. And patience is key when working with reflections.

Think about travel tripod if you want long exposures at night. Wet streets combined with slow shutter create streaking lights and mirrored color that elevate London rain photography.

From Frustration to Creative Shift

You might start your trip disappointed. I have been there for sure.

You land in London, see that grey ceiling hovering over the skyline, and imagine a missed opportunity. You scroll social media and see sunny shots from someone else’s visit.

Then something shifts.

You begin noticing the shine on cobblestones. You see how rain deepens the color of brick. You realize clouds create consistent exposure across the entire day.

Instead of chasing light, you focus on composition. Instead of rushing between landmarks, you linger.

Rain slows you down. That is gift.

By the end of the day of non stop drizzle, I found myself hoping it would continue. Streets felt atmospheric. Photos felt honest. I stopped trying to replicate postcards and started documenting my experience.

*The reflections of the people walking, make this instantly more interesting*

Why London Rain Photography Is Worth It

If you are debating whether to pack your camera because the forecast looks terrible, bring it anyway.

London rain photography forces you to see differently. It pushes creativity. It rewards patience.

You will not get a typical blue sky skyline, which is great because everyone has those. You will get reflections, mood, texture, human moments under umbrellas. You will capture the city as it often truly is.

And if you are traveling from US, Australia, New Zealand, or elsewhere, this might be your only chance to experience London like this. Rain is part of its character.

You can fight it or you can use it.

I learned to use it.

When you walk along Thames after days of rain, lights reflecting across water and pavement, the city feels cinematic. Familiar scenes feel fresh. And your photos will not look like anyone else’s.

Sometimes the best travel photography happens when conditions are imperfect. Especially in London.

This is your story of your visit to London - tell it!

How to Take Stunning Photos in London After Days of Rain