40 Autumn Rain Photography Prompts

1. Reflections in Puddles
Look for puddles that mirror colorful trees, streetlights, or fallen leaves. Get low and frame the reflection as your main subject.

2. Raindrops on Leaves
Zoom in on the delicate patterns of raindrops clinging to autumn leaves. Use a macro lens or a telephoto at close range.

3. Moody Forest Pathways
Capture misty trails lined with golden leaves and soft light filtering through wet branches. Perfect for storytelling compositions.

4. Umbrella Portraits
Photograph a person with a brightly colored umbrella. The contrast against the muted, rainy background adds energy and warmth.

5. Window Light & Raindrops
Shoot through rain-streaked windows to create a cozy, dreamy atmosphere. Try focusing on the water droplets or the blurred scene beyond.

6. Street Reflections at Night
After a rainstorm, capture glowing reflections of streetlights, neon signs, or car lights on wet pavement — cinematic and vibrant.

7. Abstract Rain Patterns
Use slow shutter speeds to blur raindrops or movement, turning ordinary scenes into soft, abstract images.

8. Color Contrast in the Gloom
Find bold reds, oranges, or yellows that stand out against grey skies or wet tree bark. Autumn color pops in overcast light.

9. Misty Mountain Layers
Rain often brings fog! Photograph the layers of mist rolling through valleys or between evergreens for depth and mystery.

10. Fallen Leaves on Wet Roads
Document the texture of soaked leaves on asphalt, paths, or bridges. Glistening details make them come alive.

11. Reflections in Car Windows
Use car mirrors or windows to frame reflections of trees, people with umbrellas, or colorful skies.

12. Macro Mushrooms & Raindrops
After rain, the forest floor comes alive. Photograph mushrooms, moss, or pine needles with drops catching the light.

13. Rain Ripples on Water
Capture circular ripples in lakes, puddles, or fountains. A simple, meditative shot that embodies the rain itself.

14. Cozy Human Element
Include a person in a raincoat, boots, or holding a warm drink.  It adds storytelling and emotional warmth to dreary weather.

15. Slow Shutter Streets
Use a tripod and slower shutter speed to blur moving rain or passing cars for a dynamic motion effect.

16. Reflected Sky in Wet Leaves
Look for tiny puddles formed on broad leaves. They often reflect the sky or tree canopy beautifully.

17. Moody Black & White Rain Scenes
Convert rainy landscapes to black and white to emphasize contrast, texture, and mood over color.

18. Rain-Covered Window Portraits
Photograph someone looking out a rainy window. Focus on the droplets and let the face softly blur for an emotive feel.

19. Misty Morning Fields
Capture soft, pastel-toned landscapes just after a rainstorm when the light is gentle and the colors are rich.

20. Autumn Rain Story Series
Create a mini-series: from the first drops hitting leaves, to umbrellas opening, puddles forming, and fog lifting. Tell the full narrative of a rainy autumn day.

20 More Creative Autumn Rain Photography Prompts (Nature Focused)

21. Mist Rising Over the Lake
Photograph early morning mist lifting off a calm lake surface after a night of rain. It is soft, ethereal, and peaceful.

22. Ripples from Falling Rain on Water
Capture individual raindrops hitting a lake or pond. Use a fast shutter to freeze the splash or a slower one for soft circles.

23. Reflections of Trees in Wet Sand or Mud
When the rain subsides, look for small puddles that perfectly mirror autumn trees or sky tones.

24. Mossy Logs and Wet Bark Textures
Get close to glistening tree trunks or moss-covered logs, emphasizing the rich greens and browns intensified by rain.

25. Raindrops on Pine Needles
Macro shot of pine or fir branches catching droplets.  They sparkle like jewels in soft light.

26. Wet Stones Along a Riverbank
Highlight the deep, saturated colors of smooth stones as they glisten in overcast light.

27. Forest Reflections in a Stream
Photograph the patterns of yellow and orange leaves reflected in slow-moving water.

28. Trails Lined with Fallen Leaves
Showcase the path itself  and focus in the distance to draw the viewer into the rainy forest scene.

29. Dripping Branches Over a Creek
Focus on branches dripping water into a stream, with blurred movement for added atmosphere.

30. Golden Leaves Floating Downriver
Use a slower shutter speed to trace their motion as they drift downstream.

31. Water Droplets on Spider Webs
Find the intricate designs that become visible only in the rain. They are delicate and full of light.

32. Fog and Depth in the Trees
Capture layered forest trees fading into mist, using composition for depth and mood.

33. Ferns and Undergrowth After Rain
Low-contrast light makes greens rich and velvety and can emphasize patterns and freshness.

34. Reflected Mountains in Rain-Darkened Lakes
Shoot during calm moments when reflections appear sharp and colors are saturated.

35. Water Flowing Over Rocks
Experiment with different shutter speeds to create silky or dynamic effects in small waterfalls or rapids.

36. Fallen Leaves Trapped in Water Currents
Capture how leaves swirl around rocks or branches showing full of movement and color. Long exposure!

37. Tree Canopy from Below
Photograph upward through dripping branches to reveal how raindrops cling to the leaves against a grey sky.

38. Rain Beads on Grasses
Get low to the ground and look for fields of grasses heavy with water droplets that sparkle like glass beads.

39. Mist Over a Mountain Trail
Shoot wide to include fog layers winding through trees and trail curves, creating mystery and solitude.

40. Reflections in a Still Forest Pond
After the rain, find moments when the surface calms.  Mirror-like reflections of golden birch or maple trees are breathtaking.

Tips:

Overcast light is your best friend as it deepens color and softens contrast.

Protect yourself and your gear with “rain coats”, slow down, and let the rhythm of the rain guide your creativity.

A circular polarizer is also an amazing asset for you to use while you photograph these scenes!

Have extra lens cloths to keep your lens clear.

Embrace the reflections and let the rain become part of your stories.

*Please share your photos on our Facebook group: Lisa Mize Photography CREATIVES!!!