by Jon Wason copyright 2012
Some people only want to grab their
camera and shoot on sunny days. But you shouldn’t let a cloudy or rainy day stop
you from shooting a great image. I am
happy when I wake up, look out the window and see an overcast sky. That is
because cloud cover provides diffused light which is softer than bright
sunshine, so your images won’t have lots of harsh shadows. Remember, photography
is all about light.
Studio photographers invest piles of money in a constant search for the
latest light modifying equipment in an effort to illuminate their models
with the softest light possible.
However, an outdoor photographer who takes advantage of a cloudy sky has the
benefit of even lighting as a free gift from Mother Nature. The cloud
layer softens the sunlight and acts as a huge diffuser. The pleasing quality of
light creates great portraits.
The Dutch Master painters of the1600s such as
Rembrandt, Hals, and Vermeer appreciated the quality of soft light. What was
their preferred light source? These painters loved to use a window that faced
the North as their source of light, because the sunlight that enters is
indirect and diffused. Take a look at the portraits painted by Rembrandt and
you will see fine examples soft lighting.
On a bright, sunny, day when you photograph a person outdoors, they can
end up with dark shadows under their nose, and chin. A guy wearing a baseball cap
disappears under deep black shadows hiding his forehead and eyes. Noon is about
the worst time of day, by the way. Of course this problem of harsh light can be
remedied by using a flash as a fill light, but that is a topic for another
posting. But, when you are shooting pictures of people outdoors, on an overcast
day you can get some very pleasing images due to indirect lighting.
When it comes to weather you have
to take what you get. So when it is a
cloudy or storming outside, take advantage of the situation. Grab your camera
and go shoot some great images.
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