Cloudy day photography is one of the hardest and most beautiful kind of photography. The cloudy sky is a natural element that we should try to capture and the results are amazing.
This photography category includes many sub categories. In each sub category you will find a lot of questions and answers to help you achieve the best result.
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I think there’s no other profession than photography that gives you the chance to capture such a great moment, be creative, and show your emotions in the best way. So, I thought I’d share my top tips for cloudy day photography to help you make the most of this magical moment and make the most out of your shots.
Table of Contents
Location & Environment
Wherever you go and wherever you are – always look for places that allow you to capture the best clouded sky. For instance, if you are a landscape photographer, you need to find the best spot for capturing the golden hour. If you’re a portrait photographer, you may need to go to the city center for a crowd of people. Always think about what you’re looking for in a photo. And never forget to research it online.
When photographing in a city, make sure that you find a place where the sky is not too bright. It’s a lot easier to make a good picture when the sun isn’t shining too brightly in your eyes. If you are taking photos of people, find a place where the light is natural and indirect – that will create a much more pleasant atmosphere.
Weather conditions
When you’re trying to capture a beautiful cloudy day, it’s essential to be prepared. When it comes to weather, clouds always bring the best opportunity. It’s a fact that rain is the best weather condition for capturing photos. Not only does it add that lovely misty touch to the photo, but it also makes the sky appear darker. However, the rain is the only thing that can completely ruin your shot. There’s no other condition that can ruin a photo, except for the wind.
Lighting
You’ve probably heard of the saying “Light creates mood”. And it’s so true. This goes for photography as well. To capture the beauty of a cloudy day, you have to make sure the light is right.
Post-processing
Post-processing is also an important part of a cloudy day photography. After all, the clouds are constantly moving. If you are shooting a moving object, then you need to apply a motion blur filter. This will help you blur out the clouds, making them look more like a moving painting. In the end, it will also give your photo a more artistic feel.
However, you can also use some Photoshop tools to enhance the clouds. They will help you make the image look more real. For example, you can adjust the contrast and brightness to make the image look more saturated. Or, you can add some light textures to the clouds to make them look more realistic.
Shoot during sunrise or sunset.
Cloudy days are perfect for shooting at sunrise or sunset because the light will be soft, warm and golden. Early morning sunrises in particular can produce beautiful effects on landscape photos with long shadows and color changes.
Look for patterns in the clouds.
Clouds create shapes that can make interesting photos as they move across the sky, so look for interesting formations when you’re ready to take your photo. Try capturing just one cloud or several different ones in your picture — either way will produce great results!
Use backlighting in your photos.
Backlighting creates a dramatic effect on any subject, but it’s especially effective with clouds because they add depth to an otherwise flat image by separating them from the background of blue sky behind them. The best kinds of backlighting come from sunset and sunrise hours when there’s still enough light left in the sky for shadows to show up well on clouds.
Other tips
1-Use shutter speed to control motion blur
2-Shoot at f/10 or higher for maximum sharpness
3-Use a tripod if possible
4- Shoot RAW files if possible (they contain more information than JPEG files).
5-Take advantage of existing light sources (e.g., window light)
6-Use reflectors and diffusers as needed
7-Use lens hoods to reduce flare