PHOTOGRAPHING CLOUDS

Clouds can be a great subject to photograph. I’m not talking about run-of-the-mill, everyday generic clouds. I’m referring to those unique clouds that force a double-take, that amaze us, and leave us in disbelief.

You don’t have to be a meteorologist, nor know the names of particular cloud formations. We have all seen them—long, wavy clouds, clouds that are huge and seem to grow up to the stratosphere, some look like UFOs, some look like giant cotton balls, and some have the shape of identifiable things or animals. And when you get vibrant, penetrating colors on top of all that, you consider yourself the luckiest person on earth.

You get the picture. However, don’t go out there and just start snapping pictures, hoping and assuming you are going to get some great photos. It’s not that easy.

Please keep in mind that when we point our cameras up to the sky, things will often be very bright. That is going to fool your built-in exposure light meter, which will, nine times out of ten, give you a poor exposure. Your photos will be either too dark or too bright. You will need to resort to your exposure compensation dial to either lighten the photos or darken them. On a bright sunny day, you may need to set your exposure compensation dial to +2/3, +1, or more! The inverse of that is when skies are dark and ominous. In those scenarios, you may need to set your exposure compensation dial to   -2/3, -1, or more! I know, it sounds counterintuitive. Be careful. 

As for timing, there are several scenarios. 
1) Plan your shots. Plan to be somewhere at a certain time or general time frame, especially is the forecast is for "developing storms," etc.

2) Be ready, be prepared for anything. If it looks awesome or ominous outside, grab your gear and be ready for some quick, spontaneous shots. And be ready and quick at changing your exposures on the fly!

3) Don't hesitate. If you are driving along the highway and see some extremely unusual cloud formations, get them, quick. They will dissipate or change before you know it. If you have your camera, do it! If you don't, and you're near home, hurry, get your gear, and get to a good spot quickly.   

Although I will photograph clouds at any time of day, I do lean toward early morning, late afternoon, or evening, when the colors are “off the wall.”

Here are just a few examples from my collection.

I saw these awesome, colorful striations as I was approaching my apartment. I had never seen anything like it. It was so surreal. I quickly got home, grabbed my gear and fast-walked to a spot where I could get a good perspective!

I was on my patio when I saw this sunset developing over the mountains near Boulder, Colorado. No time to think or analyze. Do it!

It was late in the afternoon, and a scary thunderstorm was developing. The late afternoon sun illuminated these clouds and turned them into giant yellow/orange cotton candy-like formations! Quick, get my camera!

Nature creates its own art. It did just that over these towering mountains near Frisco, Colorado.

As a photo artist, the color, shapes, forms, and size are more important to me than their meteorological names. These formations mimic the shapes of the mountains.

I don't remember where I was when I photographed these clouds, but I remember being awed by their shapes and colors. One of them looked like a hand reaching down toward earth.

I was just yards from home when I looked up and saw this giant "bird" flying south for the winter.

I just so happened to have my camera with me. Click!

I often go out for a drive, out in the countryside, just to see what I might find. This particular day, these huge, ominous, dark gray clouds were forming. Then, all of a sudden, they opened up and the sun aimed its rays toward earth. 

And then some clouds look like UFOs! 

One day, I was lucky enough to see two UFOs up in the sky! Lucky me. No, this is not AI. 

It's funny how the harder I try, the luckier I get. Mario Andretti, the famous race car driver, once said, "Success is when preparation meets opportunity." I don't know if he really said that, but, you have to admit, it's a great quote. 

So, be prepared, stay alert, and meet your opportunity.

Contact me if you have any questions or if you want some quick, to-the-point ZOOM tips.

www.elivega.net     vegaphotoart@gmail.com