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When you are passionate about photography, cloudy days are no exception. You will learn how to master the art of shooting on cloudy days and using the best settings and pro tips. Table of Contents. Cloudy Day Photography Tips. Embrace Soft Lighting: Utilize the diffused light for even exposures.
Shooting mode. You have three shooting mode options to choose from: Aperture priority mode – when depth of field is the most important factor. Shutter priority mode – when photographing movement. Manual mode – when you want ultimate creative control over your image (more on this in a moment)
- Use The Right Camera Settings
- Use The Sky as A Giant Softbox
- Shoot from Above Eye Level
- Focus on The Background, Not The Sky
- Capture Reflections
- Use Artificial Light
- Look For Interesting Clouds
- Add A Pop of Color
- Use Shadows to Create Drama
- Capture Movement
Cloudy days are darker, so you need to adjust your camera settings. The most important settings are the ones that affect exposure and white balance. Related: The difference between vibrance and saturation For the white balance, use the camera’s preset for cloudy days or manually set the Kelvin. If you go with the manual route, overcast days typical...
When you’re shooting portraits during a bright, sunny day and want soft light, you have to diffuse the light or find shade. While you can shoot in harsh light, it’s not the most flattering. During an overcast day, the clouds act as a massive softbox. So, you’ll have soft light everywhere. You may see the sun shining through in some spots, but the c...
On cloudy days, there’s less available light. Less light makes it more difficult to illuminate your subject’s eyes. So, shoot from above eye level. Your subject will be looking slightly upward, which allows you to capture catchlights in their eyes. Catchlights are the key to striking portraits. When your subject’s eyes are filled with light, it bri...
Unique and dark clouds can be interesting backgrounds. If the sky is grey without much depth in the clouds, it’ll look flat in an image. Often, the sky will get blown out. So, consider leaving it out. Instead, look for unique backgrounds and environments to take the portraits. Since the clouds provide diffused lighting, you can focus on good compos...
Reflection photos are unique, creative, and takes time to find the perfect angle. When done well, you’ll capture mesmerizing reflections. There are many opportunities for capturing reflections. Bodies of water and reflective surfaces are the most common. If it rained, puddles are easy to find. With reflection portraits, you can capture full-body or...
Off-camera flash is an excellent solution for cloudy day photography. You can use continuous light or flashes. It allows you to properly expose your subject while capturing the dark and moody backgrounds that clouds offer. Another way to use artificial light is to shoot with backlighting instead of front lighting. You can place an external flash on...
Clouds can be interesting backgrounds or as an element of the image. So, look for unique clouds. Find interesting shapes, textures, and shadows. During your shoot, you may find times where the sun is shining through the clouds, or there’s a light pool. Be patient and you’ll see eye-catching cloud formations. While you’re focusing on the clouds behi...
The grey skies can make an image feel dull. So, add a pop of color. The easiest way is to have your subject wear a brightly colored piece of clothing. It can be a shirt, jacket, pants, or a hat. Under the clouds, the color will stand out and immediately draw a viewer’s eyes to your subject. Another way to add a pop of color is to use a prop. Whethe...
Shadows add dimension and direction. While cloudy day photography may not have intense shadows like a sunny day, you can still capture creative photos. An overcast day can provide soft and even lighting. Clouds can also lead to a dark and moody image. Embrace the shadows to capture a dramatic photo. Moody photos evoke an emotional response of myste...
A great way to do creative cloudy day photography is to capture movement. You can use a fast shutter speed to freeze movement or a slow shutter speed to blur it. Both ways make any cloudy day image look more creative and interesting. Movement creates eye-catching photos. It provides a sense of dynamism, energy and helps the viewer form a story of w...
- How to Change Your Camera Settings. Cloudy day photography settings are different than what you would use on a clear or overcast day. Every time the light changes, you need to change your settings.
- Add Sky Definition With Cloud Formations. You may find a great landscape scene, but it can look boring without certain elements. Clouds are the easiest things to wait for and use as interesting details in your photo.
- Add Movement With Long Exposures. Long exposures are great at any time of the day or night. Clouds add texture, shape, and form already. Capturing them with a long shutter speed adds movement to your scene.
- Take Advantage of Diffused Light and Shoot Portraits. The best reason to shoot cloudy day portraits is the light. An overcast sky creates diffused light.
Jul 17, 2024 · With these tips, you'll be able to make the most of any cloudy day and capture some beautiful, unique photos that you'll treasure for years to come. Learn why cloudy days can be ideal for photography, including family pictures, senior pictures, maternity shoot, sports photography, and more.
Oct 19, 2023 · If you want to capture great photos on a cloudy day, use settings emphasizing natural light. Use a tripod if possible and avoid using filters or changing your Aperture too much. If you need to take photos indoors, bring a lamp to brighten the scene.
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One of our best tips for shooting outdoors is to wait for a cloudy day. Overcast days are perfect for getting outside, photographing people, and capturing smooth, flawless skin. You can even have your models lift and turn their faces toward the sun without having to squint their eyes.
