AccuWeather

I prefer to keep mine off. It can make images look a bit too punchy and fake, so instead I underexpose photos slightly then use a photo editing app to brighten the darkest areas, it creates the HDR look but with you in charge of the creativity. A good app to try is snapseed. It is free, and its so good I just wrote a whole book about how to edit photos with it on your phone!

Hi! The great news is that if you are using a phone camera you don't even need to worry about settings!! Provided your phone is a fairly recent release it has an amazing camera in it already (and some very clever algorithms that will do all the heavy lifting for you.) You will be able to point it at the subject and with a few swipes and touches you can make a great image. First tap the screen to focus where the subject is, and then slide your finger (apple- up and down swipe / android left to right swipe) and you will see the brightness of the image changing. My advice is to darken everything slightly, otherwise known as underexposing. This will ensure all the detail remains in the bright areas such as white fluffy clouds. Then take a few pictures with different compositions and framing (whats in the frame and whats not) and you will be well on your way to making some great photos you will be proud of!

I live somewhere with a very high water table and it rains all LOT, so its a good job I love weather photography. Using wet and misty weather as a backdrop to your photos is a great way to add atmosphere. Also when things are wet and glistening they bounce light back and this can make the whole picture more magical. Explore subjects such as leaves with dew or raindrops on them, spider webs with tiny diamond droplets, and so on and try to include them as foreground interest in rainy day photos. Or go out in an urban space and capture the people jumping puddles, colourful umbrellas and glistening wet streets. And don't forget to look for rainbows when the rain stops!

It really is not a concern. Entering competitions provides great exposure for winners and runners up and leads to other opportunities to exhibit, publish and sell your work. Be savvy though! When you look for competitions to enter, read the small print. All reputable organisations, (such as RMets and AccuWeather!) will have included a clause stating that the rights to the image are retained by the photographer. And that you will consent to them showing / publishing the work to highlight the best entires and winners and promote the competition and future competitions. You want this, your image will be credited to you and will be seen far and wide. Be bold, don't hide your shots on your hard drive, the world wants to see your great photos!

Try to remember that when you are outside you really experience the weather with your eyes, and all your other senses too! This can have a huge impact on how you feel in the moment of taking it. To be able to share that mood and emotion with others when they see your photos you need to capture the atmosphere. Make sure you frame your shot with plenty of sky in it - perhaps even consider turning your camera to a tall portrait ratio rather the usual wide landscape ratio as then you can include even more of that weather! Also take lots of pictures, the more you take the more likely you will be able to bring back something amazing!