How do you photograph on a cloudy of overcast day?
Jan 21, 2012 22:53:07 #
Anyone got any information on how to get clear shots with decent contrast on cloudy or overcast days. Here is an eample of one I took today
Douglas Sky Raider Turning Up
Jan 21, 2012 23:08:00 #
I should probably ask what kind of camera you are using...Plus, I would start with setting the White Balance to cloudy. Maybe try overexposing a stop or so too.
Great Plane!
Great Plane!
Jan 21, 2012 23:13:22 #
2 Dog Don wrote:
Anyone got any information on how to get clear shots with decent contrast on cloudy or overcast days. Here is an eample of one I took today
I agree, you need to not actually overexpose, but get the right exposure. What happened in your image: the camera's light meter was fooled by the sky, and like all reflected light meters, wanted to make the bright whites middle grey.
"Overexposing" an f/stop or more brings the exposure into alignment with how your eyes perceive the scene. As the plane is the subject, even IF the clouds go detail free white, if the plane pops and looks good, the photo achieves its purpose.
Jan 21, 2012 23:18:32 #
It was cloudy, but to the meter, that sky is bright and it takes up half the image. So it was trying to average the exposure. Dumb meter has no idea there is a cool aircraft painted dark blue and that THAT is the subject. A adjustment of +1 or maybe +2 to the exposure compensation would probably work at the expense of the sky blowing out.
Of course I do not know the circumstances of the moment, but if you want a photo of the airplane, get a lot closer and keep the sky to a minimum.
Of course I do not know the circumstances of the moment, but if you want a photo of the airplane, get a lot closer and keep the sky to a minimum.
Jan 21, 2012 23:19:50 #
That said, your camera also did not fully mess up the image. Digital Post Production is the new Darkroom, and it can do wonders.
I have attached a suggested look for your image. Think about composition when shooting. Give energetic things like airplanes a "place to go" to imply that energy.
I have attached a suggested look for your image. Think about composition when shooting. Give energetic things like airplanes a "place to go" to imply that energy.
Suggestion as to exposure and composition.
Jan 21, 2012 23:27:15 #
Nikon_DonB wrote:
I should probably ask what kind of camera you are using...Plus, I would start with setting the White Balance to cloudy. Maybe try overexposing a stop or so too.
Great Plane!
Great Plane!
Well I have a bridge camera a FujiFilm HS20EXR it is a superzoom 24 to 720 35MM equivelant. I was shooting in one of the EXR modes (a version of auto) where the camera uses the full 12MP and selects the other settings. I had never used this function before. I think I am going back to apature priority. Thanks for all the advice I love this forum. As for the plane it is the Douglas Sky Raider 3000HP and the only prop air craft to ever down a MIG. The pilot that accomplished that spoke today. Great stuff
Jan 21, 2012 23:32:37 #
PhotoArtsLA wrote:
That said, your camera also did not fully mess up the image. Digital Post Production is the new Darkroom, and it can do wonders.
I have attached a suggested look for your image. Think about composition when shooting. Give energetic things like airplanes a "place to go" to imply that energy.
I have attached a suggested look for your image. Think about composition when shooting. Give energetic things like airplanes a "place to go" to imply that energy.
Thanks I worked on another version of the photo in PSE 10 and it is much improved. But I find myself getting to lazy and saying OK I can fix that later. I want to get back to being more careful on the front end like the "good old analog" days. Well maybe not that careful. Thanks for all the advice
Jan 21, 2012 23:33:45 #
docrob
Loc: Durango, Colorado
2 Dog Don wrote:
Anyone got any information on how to get clear shots with decent contrast on cloudy or overcast days. Here is an eample of one I took today
So far others have provided excellent answers but one thing came to me when I read your question is that perhaps there is a confusion about "clarity" and "contrast?" Your images have clarity they do lack contrast which, gets to the rest of your question concerning cloudy skies.
Or am I confused?
Jan 21, 2012 23:37:10 #
Jan 21, 2012 23:47:24 #
Try to not get quite so much sky in the shot on days like this ... move in closer to the plane if you have to. Let the camera fixate (for lack of a better word at the moment) on the plane and the landscape
Jan 22, 2012 05:29:37 #
Expose your histogrm to the right then correct in post-processing. I like cloudy days no major highlights to worry about and the light is usually the same from all angles
Jan 22, 2012 06:40:45 #
The reflectivity of the water covered tarmac and glossy finish on the plane decrease contrast in this photo. I don't know what the more experienced photographers would say, but I'd at least try to reduce the reflectivity with a polarizing filter on this kind of shot.
Jan 22, 2012 07:41:40 #
2 Dog Don wrote:
quote=Nikon_DonB I should probably ask what kind ... (show quote)
Don't blame the auto mode. It tried its best despite the operator. You're being told in more than one gentle way in this thread that there is too much sky and not enough plane so the camera exposed to the sky. It's a simple fix (get in closer or zoom in). You don't have to become addicted to post processing to achieve this although post processing many times causes an already excellent shot to really "pop" or in another thread the word was have "impact."
Jan 22, 2012 08:15:06 #
Another good way to shoot on cloudy days is to bracket, then use HDR software to create a "realistic" HDR. This actually uses the clouds to enhance the shot by giving the sky a lot of texture.
Jan 22, 2012 10:44:38 #
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