Rainbows are sacred in many religions and are often considered a bridge to the heavens. But if you remember your elementary science lessons, you may know that a rainbow is an optical illusion that occurs due to reflection, refraction, and dispersion of light.

Unfortunately, you cannot simply pack your camera and go to photograph a rainbow. You need to understand the science behind it and prepare for it.

Sounds complex? Don't worry. We've got everything covered.

1. Know the Basics

Rainbow from a sprinkler

You can see a rainbow when sunlight falls on the water droplets from the opposite direction at a specific low angle. This is the golden rule to remember if you want to shoot rainbows.

Also, note the direction—in the eastern sky, you can see rainbows in the evenings, and in the mornings, you should look west.

Knowing this rule will help you find many opportunities and locations to photograph rainbows.

2. Keep an Eye on the Weather

Rainbow through window

Your best chance to see a rainbow is when there are water droplets in the air with the sun shining in the front. Rainy days are one option, but you don't always have to wait for one—as we'll discuss in more detail later.

You have a good chance of spotting a rainbow after a storm. There should be clouds in front of you, but the sky behind you must be clear, so the sun can shine on the water droplets and disperse through them.

3. Head to a Waterfall or Fountain

Rainbow in fountain

You cannot always wait for the weather gods to bless you with a rainbow to photograph. Where else can you find water droplets in the air? In the waterfalls and fountains, there is water splashing all around. So, they have the perfect conditions to make a rainbow.

If you know a waterfall or fountain nearby, visit it a few times. Then, you can learn precisely when there will be a rainbow. For instance, at Niagara Falls, you are likely to see a rainbow in the late afternoon while looking at the Horseshoe and American Falls from the Canadian side.

4. Pay Attention to the Background

Rainbow near mountain

When you spot a rainbow, it is natural to grab your camera and quickly take a snapshot of it. But, that is not going to do justice to the rainbow. So, take some time to compose your shot. At the same time, remember that rainbows typically last for a short time only.

You're likely to see a rainbow in a natural area but still scan the background for any distracting things. Adjust your angle to keep unwanted branches or rocks out of the scene.

5. Find an Interesting Foreground

Rainbow over church

Rainbows are beautiful just on their own, but focusing only on that isn't going to push your creative boundaries very far. Make your rainbow photo stand out by adding an interesting element in the foreground. For example, place a model in front of the rainbow or add things like a boat or flowers. This can make for a compelling composition.

Adding layers to your composition is also a great way to add depth and dimension to your photos.

6. Try a Polarizing Filter

Polarizing Filter

A polarizing filter is a great option for landscape photography. It can also be an excellent tool for capturing rainbows because it can darken the sky and bring out its vibrancy.

Experiment with the polarizing filter to find the right point where the rainbow looks saturated. The polarizing filter can make your rainbow disappear if you're not careful. Using the viewfinder on your camera is a good idea rather than the LCD screen at the back.

7. Use a Small Aperture

Hand showing lens

You want your rainbow photos to be tack-sharp, so going for a smaller aperture is a better idea. With a wide aperture, you will lose the details on the rainbow, and it may end up looking fuzzy.

Opting for a smaller aperture will also preserve the details in the foreground and background. Since a smaller aperture lets less light into your camera, you'll need to balance the ISO and shutter speed accordingly.

8. Manual Focus Is the Way to Go

Photographer with camera

For the most part, your camera's autofocus mode will nail the focus, but choose the manual mode for rainbow photos to make sure—you do not want your rainbow to be out of focus.

Remember to use the viewfinder on your camera to look at the scene and turn the focus ring until the rainbow is sharp. Then, click the picture.

You can learn more about the focus modes in your camera if you're unfamiliar with them.

9. Pack Your Tripod

Photo of a camera on a tripod

Rainbows occur on dark, rainy days. So, you're already working with less light than usual. Also, when using a small aperture to shoot rainbows, you have to slow down your shutter speed to let more light inside your camera. If you add a polarizing filter, it further reduces the light.

So, it is essential to have a tripod at hand when shooting rainbows. Just like time and tide, rainbows wait for none. It's better safe than sorry. You do not want your rainbow photos to be blurry. So, always carry one if you're going to shoot rainbows.

Don't have a tripod yet? Here's our guide on what to look for in a tripod.

10. Experiment With Different Focal Lengths

Camera with zoom lens

Rainbows usually occur as semicircles. But, to capture the entire semicircle, you need an ultra-wide angle lens. Of course, you can still take captivating rainbow images without a wide-angle lens if you're creative with your composition.

So, don't shy away from using other lenses to photograph rainbows. Play around with your zoom lens by trying different focal lengths. Have you only got the famous nifty-fifty? It is a great all-around lens that will also work perfectly for rainbows.

Be Prepared to Capture Breathtaking Rainbow Photos

Photographing rainbows is not something that you can do every day. You have to be on the lookout for the perfect conditions that can bring a rainbow.

When planning to shoot a rainbow, being prepared is the key. Bring all the essential gear with you. Be flexible, and look for interesting elements to add to your rainbow photos. Most of all, have fun and be inspired by it.