For landscape, try to concentrate on somewhere that isn't the sky, include as little sky as possible. Like this
Any pic taken with a clear sky is likly to be 500% better then any overcast pic.
Any pic taken with a clear sky is likly to be 500% better then any overcast pic.
Any pic taken with a clear sky is likly to be 500% better then any overcast pic. So much so I hardly bother taking outdoors pics unless its at least 4/8 or there is some decent chance or shadows.
This of course, is 100% untrue.
There's no such thing as "bad light", just light that is better suited to different purposes.
Maybe if you are shooting underground.
When I wrote that I was thinking of side by side comparison of the same image. Specificaly I was attending a sporting event over two days, the first was over cast and the second had clear skies all day. I wasen't shooting with the sky in mind, it was more the fact I had uninterupted light.
I had one keeper from the first day and about 8 or 9 from the second, purely because I had shadows and contrast.
If you are shooting a scene with a large proportion of sky in it then yes, I might agree a coudless sky is boring, even though I do like dark blue skies you get with a CPL.
PS: I've noticed you live in AUS and not the UK. This automaticaly makes you unable to comment as you've probably not experianced english weather.
What is this 2/8, 4/8, 8/8 rating for skies being used here?
Thanks.
Absolutely.Just take any dull old rubbish and HDR it to bits. How could you go wrong?
Hi,
I need some advice on how to improve taking photos outside on gloomy days. e.g. how its been here for the past god knows how long.
Grey clouds, grey everything, everything looks lifeless.
Any advice on how to perk them up a bit?
I don't bother shooting on cloudy days.
Agreed, gotta make do with whatever the weather when shooting outdoors (more applicable when on a job though)I think it's best to "embrace" whatever the weather happens to offer you, even if it is pouring with rain - who wants only "perferct" pictures with nice blue skies and small fluffy white clouds?
Snip.
It's not puzzling me. If you want to go out to shoot flowers or something where you want a strong directional light, with no sky in the picture, dull weather may not be ideal. You may not want to change what you intend to photograph because of your location. As a hobby, many people want to fit it in to their lives and not do the "special effort", "big shoot" every day. or travel long distances to the location that may suit the weather. You might be better off sitting at the PC messing with your jpegs.I've always found this attitude deeply puzzling, since when has great photography had anything to do with clear blue skies and sunshine?
It's not puzzling me. If you want to go out to shoot flowers or something where you want a strong directional light, with no sky in the picture, dull weather may not be ideal. You may not want to change what you intend to photograph because of your location. As a hobby, many people want to fit it in to their lives and not do the "special effort", "big shoot" every day. or travel long distances to the location that may suit the weather. You might be better off sitting at the PC messing with your jpegs.
Sure, some people don't realise that rain, fog, heavy cloud can make great pictures. But on a dull, flat day, the rest of us may not always have the energy or time to hunt down the right subject.
True, but the OP was 'Tips for cloudy days' I doubt that Don't bother stay at home was the answer he was looking for.It's not puzzling me. If you want to go out to shoot flowers or something where you want a strong directional light, with no sky in the picture, dull weather may not be ideal. You may not want to change what you intend to photograph because of your location. As a hobby, many people want to fit it in to their lives and not do the "special effort", "big shoot" every day. or travel long distances to the location that may suit the weather. You might be better off sitting at the PC messing with your jpegs.
Sure, some people don't realise that rain, fog, heavy cloud can make great pictures. But on a dull, flat day, the rest of us may not always have the energy or time to hunt down the right subject.