The best way to keep your camera dry in a rainstorm.

I live in the Northwest and it rains here. No really, it does. I know you don't believe me, but I tell the truth. Some days it just rains more than others. I'm not sure which is a worse rain - the soft drizzling rain that soaks through even though it doesn't feel as if it would or the hard drenching rain that soaks through with one drop.

Both can wreck havoc on your camera gear. So what to do when it rains? Stay indoors? Never!

Here are some handy tips on keeping your camera equipment dry and workable during the wetter seasons (which in the northwest starts on January 1 and ends on December 31).

Electronics and water are not the best of friends, so it's best to try and keep them separated. To do this a plastic camera cover or sleeve is a great option. You can buy pre-made ones at your favorite camera store for anywhere between a few bucks up to $50. All of them work, but make sure you can manage working with them. There's nothing worse than heading out into the field and trying to figure out how to use your accessory or worse, the accessory is more trouble than it's worth. Try it out at home before you go.

Another option is to take a plastic bag (large enough to cover both your lens and the camera) and place your camera in the bag with the lens at the closed end. Next, take your lens hood (or a filter) and thread it on the lens (your lens will be on one side of the bag and the lens hood on the other). This creates an easily removable hole in the bag that is just big enough for your lens to fit through. Secure the end of the bag to the end of the lens with a rubberband and you're ready to go.

Speaking of plastic bags - it is also a good idea while you're out and about in the rain to also have a bag large enough to fit your camera bag into. It really helps to keep all your gear dry - a tall kitchen trash bag works well.

Now that you have protected your gear, how about protecting the front of your lens. Unless you really want them there, raindrops on the lens can ruin a photo or add extra time in front of the computer cloning them out.

Your lens hood can really help here. Not only will a lens hood block unwanted sun spots, it can reduce unwanted raindrops. And for those stray raindrops that happen to sneak onto the lens? A microfiber cleaning cloth between your exposures can help dry them up. If you're not ready to make another exposure, snap on your lens cap until you are ready.

So the next time it's raining, you'll be far more confident to head out for some weather photography. The above image was taken during a windy rainy day at Cape Disappointment in Southwest Washington at the mouth of the Columbia River. The waves crash violently along the cliffs during storms, so the next time a good storm is forecasted you know where to go.