A perfect storm! Spellbinding photo book by ‘the pope of bad weather photography’ shows the beauty of the world when the sun isn’t shining, from rainy Scotland to wintry New York

Australia
By William

‘This book is a tribute to the rain, the snow, the wind and (and) the cinematic emotions they hide.’

So writes photographer Christophe Jacrot in the introduction to his new book Lost in the beauty of bad weatherpublished by teNeues.

The French photographer is ‘considered the Pope of bad weather photography’, the publisher reveals, with this book featuring around 170 of his atmospheric outdoor shots.

In the richly illustrated book he tells ‘poetic photo stories’ about the cities that ‘sink before his lens under the effects of weather phenomena such as rain showers and snow showers’.

The publisher continues: ‘When we look out the window and are greeted with bad weather, we cancel plans, or hope to do so, and stay indoors. For Jacrot, this is the moment when the world opens up before his lens.’

A bubblegum pink castle in rainy Scotland, the snow-capped high-rises of New York and misty Venice are some of the scenes Jacrot has captured on his camera – scroll down to see some of his stunning images for yourself…

This striking photo shows Hotel Belvédère – a hotel that has been closed for years – on the Furka Pass in the Swiss Alps. Jacrot notes that the hotel is

This striking photo shows Hotel Belvédère – a hotel that has been closed for years – on the Furka Pass in the Swiss Alps. Jacrot notes that the hotel is “located on a winding bend at an altitude of 2,200 meters (7,217 feet).” He says: ‘I discovered it on Instagram. I even watched videos of bikers filming their rides with GoPros to get the lay of the land before embarking on the journey myself.” He took the photo ‘at the beginning of winter, when the first snowflakes fell’

This retro blue house, buried in snow, was captured in the town of Tasiilaq in eastern Greenland

This retro blue house, buried in snow, was captured in the town of Tasiilaq in eastern Greenland

This enchanting photo shows the landscape around St. Coloman's Church in Bavaria, Germany, covered in snow

This enchanting photo shows the landscape around St. Coloman’s Church in Bavaria, Germany, covered in snow

This striking photo of Graigievar Castle in Aberdeenshire, Scotland, was captured through a car window on a rainy day, Jacrot reveals. He writes that it can be challenging to get the shot you want when you're

This striking photo of Graigievar Castle in Aberdeenshire, Scotland, was captured through a car window on a rainy day, Jacrot reveals. He writes that it can be challenging to get the shot you want when you’re “crammed into the interior of a small car,” and admits that it would be much easier to shoot from a bus with a “huge windshield.” He adds: ‘Also, it has to rain enough to get the rain effect I’m looking for: small or large drops? Should they drip, flow or collect in streaks? Using windshield wipers is an art!’

“Of all the places in the world, this is one of my favorites,” Jacrot writes above about the Faroe Islands. He continues: 'The landscape is as wild as the climate. There are more sheep there than people

“Of all the places in the world, this is one of my favorites,” Jacrot writes above about the Faroe Islands. He continues: ‘The landscape is as wild as the climate. There are more sheep there than people

This colorful shot was captured during one of eight trips Jacrot made to Iceland over the course of his career. He writes: 'I look for places that inspire me... I come back to these places when the weather conditions are good'

This colorful shot was captured during one of eight trips Jacrot made to Iceland over the course of his career. He writes: ‘I look for places that inspire me… I come back to these places when the weather conditions are good’

This moody shot shows London, with Big Ben glowing in the distance, on a rainy evening. Jacrot writes: 'When it rains heavily, the light is unique and beautiful, but I feel like I'm the only one who notices it as I watch everyone else run for cover'

This moody shot shows London, with Big Ben glowing in the distance, on a rainy evening. Jacrot writes: ‘When it rains heavily, the light is unique and beautiful, but I feel like I’m the only one who notices it as I watch everyone else run for cover’

A snow-covered New York City is the subject of this magical shot by Jacrot. He writes, “Snowstorms in New York are the most fascinating to me. It's like a clash between two great forces. It seems the elements are trying to compete with the arrogance and power of this city'

A snow-covered New York City is the subject of this magical shot by Jacrot. He writes, “Snowstorms in New York are the most fascinating to me. It’s like a clash between two great forces. It seems the elements are trying to compete with the arrogance and power of this city’

In this stunning shot, the light from the City Hall clock tower brings a warm glow to the misty streets of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

In this stunning shot, the light from the City Hall clock tower brings a warm glow to the misty streets of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

This atmospheric shot shows Venice during the pandemic, between two lockdowns. Jacrot writes that

This atmospheric shot shows Venice during the pandemic, between two lockdowns. Jacrot writes that “the town was deserted, (with) no tourists in sight,” apart from a few masked pedestrians on the streets in the early mornings. He says it was ‘an atmosphere like the time of the plague’

This photo shows a boat sailing through choppy waters in Hong Kong. Jacrot writes that it was 'challenging' to find good vantage points for photographing the city in rainy weather, but that he enjoys 'working with the effects of the rain'

This photo shows a boat sailing through choppy waters in Hong Kong. Jacrot writes that it was ‘challenging’ to find good vantage points for photographing the city in rainy weather, but that he enjoys ‘working with the effects of the rain’

This striking shot was taken in Greenland. About photographing cold countries around the world, Jacrot says: 'I discovered a blindingly white, cold, hostile nature. A frozen and chilling world... but not quite! No matter how small, there is always a spark of life. A touch of color, fleeting silhouettes, birds in flight, something poetic that thaws in the beauty of this extreme climate'

This striking shot was taken in Greenland. About photographing cold countries around the world, Jacrot says: ‘I discovered a blindingly white, cold, hostile nature. A frozen and chilling world… but not quite! No matter how small, there is always a spark of life. A touch of color, fleeting silhouettes, birds in flight, something poetic that thaws in the beauty of this extreme climate’

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