After rain: a surface study

Choose two ordinary materials

A painted rail and a stone wall are enough. Look for surfaces you can study from a comfortable public path. Wet materials can become darker while their reflections become brighter. The interesting part is often the transition between a dry patch and a damp one, rather than the whole scene.

Move before adjusting

Make a picture, then shift a little to one side and make another. A reflection may disappear or become a bright shape. Compare the two positions before changing exposure. This keeps the exercise grounded in the scene and makes it easier to understand what the light is doing.

Keep the brightest detail

Inspect the brightest useful part of the image rather than trusting the overall preview. If a small reflection loses all texture, decide whether that blank shape helps the composition. Sometimes it does. If it distracts, try a different angle or a slightly darker exposure and compare the result.

Pair instead of collect

Choose one pair that shows a meaningful difference. A dozen similar photographs of wet leaves can feel less precise than two contrasting surfaces. Caption the pair with material, light and viewpoint. Keep your equipment dry and use a familiar, firm path; the exercise does not depend on approaching a slippery edge.