Don’t Wait For the Sun to Shine

Don’t wait for the sun to shine before you take your next great photograph. While it is true the majority of good photographs are taken on sunny days, great ones are also taken on cloudy days as well.

There are two kinds of cloudy days…one that is overcast…or one that has fluffy clouds that are passing by in the sky.

Overcast days will allow you more detail in the areas that would be normally be shadows on a sunny day and can bring out more detail in the photograph.  In you are shooting color, a color photograph, a cloudy day will give you a more pastel effect while, in a black & white print, it will give what I call a smooth effect and very pleasant. An overcast day is a great day for shooting portraits outdoors and gives the face a more rounded modeling lighting.

If you have your camera set for automatic mode, the camera will determine the exposure for you.  If you have your camera set to manual exposure, be sure and allow for a bit more light on the overcast day.

If you are shooting landscapes on a day with lots of clouds moving through the sky, take photos both while the sun is hidden under the clouds and when the sun is out.  You may surprise yourself. But remember, don’t stop taking photographs just because it is cloudy and overcast outdoors. Even rainy days give you opportunities for great photographs.