Landscapes on cloudy days

[loydall]

Hi there - this is my first post here so hello!

I'm off to scotland next week and looking at the weather forecast it's going to be grey and overcast. Do you guys have any tips on getting the most out of your landscape photos on bad weather days?

We're staying near Loch Ness so we'll have big lakes and mountains to photograph.

Any suggestions?

Cheers.

[joelham]

ohhh overcast days are my favourite. My little bit of advice
Tripod, a must, i'd go for those blured motion (clouds, water) in low light conditions.
ND Grads if possible.
Go for the moody shots

[loydall]

Thanks - I just invested in a decent tripod - good idea on the long exposure water-movement shots.

Hopefully there will be a bit of definition in the clouds rather than that solid grey colour. Still - misty mornings over Loch Ness could be good.

[IslandCrow]

Also, if the sky isn't interesting, don't have very much of it (or possibly not any of it) in the shot and focus on the landscape.

[loydall]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z4B2v6O5AMY

Have a great trip !!


Quality stuff :lol:

[pj30something]

Also, if the sky isn't interesting, don't have very much of it (or possibly not any of it) in the shot and focus on the landscape.

I must remember that. I live in Ireland where the sky is always grey and overcast. Most of my images that show some sky in them, the sky is way overexposed (even though its overcast the sky is still very bright),which makes my landscapes underexposed.

I'm learning though how to get a good balance.

[coyoteboy]

It can be pretty hard, in my experience, to get decent shots in such overcast conditions - I was up Ben Lomond at the weekend...

http://www.flickr.com/photos/bucklevision/4047533288/

People always complain that my photos are too dark though.

[Hikin Mike]

It can be pretty hard, in my experience, to get decent shots in such overcast conditions - I was up Ben Lomond at the weekend...

http://www.flickr.com/photos/bucklevision/4047533288/

People always complain that my photos are too dark though.

That's why you need a GND or bracket a few different exposures and use layer masks in Photoshop. ;)

[blackcap]

That's why you need a GND or bracket a few different exposures and use layer masks in Photoshop. ;)

Yep, agree. Plus a grad can bring out the textures in a grey sky.

[KCMO Al]

Agree with much already said. When we were there (many years ago) the ceiling was about 100 feet above the lochs. You couldn't see the tops of the hills on either side.
These conditions, however, can produce very nice results. As said, avoid the sky, but that's good. Focus on things at ground level. The colors on days like this can be wonderful. Macro or close-up works very well (of course using a tripod) and fill flash can be quite effective. Don't give up and put the gear away. An occasional dram or two of the local single malt doesn't hurt, either.

[Majorphoto]

I love grey moody stormy atmosphere, that's when I grab my gear and Run ..check out my work here

http://lowapproach.deviantart.com/gallery/