Rainy Streets — the Ultimate Canvas for Urban Photography
abduzeedo
Dive into the gritty, rain-soaked aesthetic of the 80s. Learn to capture the cinematic Neon Noir mood in your next street photography session.
As a child of the 80s, I grew up glued to the screen, captivated by action movies and classic video games. The defining aesthetic of that era was unmistakable: a gritty, rain-soaked big city, towering skyscrapers shrouded in mist, and the lone protagonist, the hero who always did the right thing, even if they didn't follow the rules. This moody backdrop, often featuring wet streets glistening under neon signs, laid the foundation for my current approach to photography.
The music of that time, a classic mix of jazz, synth-heavy electronic scores, and raw rock and roll, paired with the visuals to create an unforgettable atmosphere. Video games like Streets of Rage 1 and 2 and Final Fight perfectly encapsulated this Neon Noir vibe. Has anyone else felt the urge to jump into the world of Big Trouble in Little China just by looking at a rainy cityscape?
The Inevitable Attraction to Wet Street Photography
Since those early experiences, I've been perpetually attracted to that specific mood and style. Every time the clouds open, it feels like I am instantly transported to that cinematic time. My move to the US and walking the dramatically lit streets of San Francisco further convinced me that this atmosphere is the perfect canvas for urban photography. The interplay of headlight trails, reflections on wet asphalt, and the diffused glow of streetlights provides endless opportunities for dramatic composition.
Last week, the forecast predicted heavy rain: the perfect scenario for a street photography session. Camera in hand, I headed out to the office, determined to capture a piece of that nostalgic vibe. It was a fun and challenging exercise in composition and exposure. Dealing with the elements is always part of the adventure when attempting this style of wet-weather photography.
The challenge is capturing the feeling of tension and movement while still highlighting the beautiful, reflective textures the rain creates. The result is a series of images that feel less like simple photos and more like stills from a forgotten 80s movie.
Here are some photography samples from that day. You can see others in my Unsplash page. To help set the mood as you browse the images, here is a Spotify playlist I listened to while shooting:
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