Rainbow Photography

A rainbow is sunlight spread out into its spectrum of colors and diverted to the eye of the observer by the water droplets in rain. Any source of bright light being refracted by water droplets will create a rainbow as well. Light is projected from behind the observer and hits the water droplet. The light is bent and dispersed, then reflected off the back of the water droplet, and refracted again when the light exits the droplet. The difference in angles accounts for the spectrum of colors you see.

Being at the right place at the right time has everything to do with good rainbow photography. Rainbows appear best when rain is falling from the sky and direct sunlight is projected onto the raindrops as they are still falling.

Have your camera ready and be in a place where the foreground is uncluttered and no power wires are visible. Usually the auto mode of the camera will be able to produce the exposure you need for a great rainbow photograph.