Cloud Photography - Inspiration needed

[Brownbear]

Yup, I am one of those people who take photos of "just clouds" for their interesting shapes, texture, light and feeling... And I don't think I've ever seen anyone post cloud photos here? Perhaps it is a fruitless exercise in photography?

I've noticed that when one decides to edit a cloud photo, it is challenging.. fine tuning the white balance changes everything about the cloud photo (and who can remember if the cloud was white or orange or blue or grey at the time), and if one chooses to sharpen or lighten shadows the photo noise is quickly apparent...

My only question is, is their a trick to it? IE; basic how to editing guidelines for clouds?

Here are a few of my cloud shots (just the jpegs most as is, ie unedited), and I'm hoping that others will post their nicer cloud shots to share. I'm just curious.











Bubble Clouds (Saskatoon.. never seen anything like these)









And we have a monster...

[Dave Humphries]

Hi Christina,

And I don't think I've ever seen anyone post cloud photos here?

I guess you missed Krissy's thread then?

Perhaps it is a fruitless exercise in photography?

No, but it is difficult to translate the enormity of what you see into a photograph effectively when the shot is like #3 - to achieve that, it probably needs to fill the viewer's screen and they need to sit quite close so it fills their peripheral vision.

It would be worth removing the odd distractions from these, be it dust bunnies or even the odd bird.

For me, the ones with better defined edges or shapes work best, so #5, #4 and #1.
#5 is best because of the lighting.

Might be wrong, but I think #3 is on its side, am I wrong?

Cheers,

[Brownbear]

Yes, I missed Krissy's thread. Thank you for the link.

Good to know.

Yes, sorry.. I'm just cleaning up my photos, came across my cloud photos and realized that editing them is a challenge, especially because of the color changes with white balance.

Defined edges and shapes, that makes perfect sense! Thank you

#3 is not on it's side... I took the photo while I was facing up to the clouds... ie from an upside down position.

I would love to see some cloud photos from others.

Hi Christina,



I guess you missed Krissy's thread then?



No, but it is difficult to translate the enormity of what you see into a photograph effectively when the shot is like #3 - to achieve that, it probably needs to fill the viewer's screen and they need to sit quite close so it fills their peripheral vision.

It would be worth removing the odd distractions from these, be it dust bunnies or even the odd bird.

For me, the ones with better defined edges or shapes work best, so #5, #4 and #1.
#5 is best because of the lighting.

Might be wrong, but I think #3 is on its side, am I wrong?

Cheers,

[Geoff F]

There have been a few others who also regularly photographed clouds.

I often photograph clouds to add to my 'stock pile' of suitable backgrounds. Also, I sometimes leave a narrow strip of land, or sea, to put everything into perspective; and show which way is up/down.

Took a few shots like that today but haven't looked at them yet to decide if they will be 'keepers'.

[Donald]

And I don't think I've ever seen anyone post cloud photos here? Perhaps it is a fruitless exercise in photography?

Don't say that to the folks in the Cloud Appreciation Society. Photos of clouds come high on the list in that organisation.

[Andrew76]

Where do you find this stuff, Donald??!!

[Geoff F]

OK, here is one from today. Just a narrow strip of sea to put the scene into context but the approaching shower clouds are the main attraction.

Only a little bit of extra contrast applied for editing.



F11 1/500 Iso 100

[Brownbear]

Thank you Donald.. Wonderful link with some fabulous photos... I'm saving it as a cloud editing reference.

Don't say that to the folks in the Cloud Appreciation Society. Photos of clouds come high on the list in that organisation.

[Brownbear]

Thank you Geoff.. It's a truly gorgeous photo. (love the light) What white balance setting did you use?

OK, here is one from today. Just a narrow strip of sea to put the scene into context bu


t the approaching shower clouds are the main attraction.

Only a little bit of extra contrast applied for editing.



F11 1/500 Iso 100

[Shadowman]

Don't say that to the folks in the Cloud Appreciation Society. Photos of clouds come high on the list in that organisation.

Also, anyone with a window seat on an airplane with a camera.

[Shadowman]

Christina,

These are very nice. I think you are ready for a helicopter ride.

[Mike Buckley]

I would love to see some cloud photos from others.

You might want to consider reviewing Alfred Stieglitz's photos of clouds taken at his home at Lake George, New York, in the 1920s. They are famous for their print quality (Stieglitz was considered a master printer), their simplicity, and their role in the development of his philosophy regarding photography.

[Brownbear]

I've taken some great shots from airplane windows... well, most were really bad but I have a couple of good ones.

I edited the cloud photo that I thought was prettiest, which was number 1... I used lightroom to increase the clarity and tackle a zillion dust spots, and my question has to do with setting the correct white balance for clouds

WB - cloudy (which makes sense for clouds?)



WB - auto



WB - as shot



I think the cloudy WB looks the best and it makes sense for clouds... Is this the case?


And the bubble clouds for which auto WB worked fine, sharing because they are interesting but they are not not very attractive and likely headed for the trash.


I added a gradient map in Elements 9 which lightened the top left hand side of the photo which brought out more detail which I found interesting... If I had to do it again, I likely couldn't.



Looking forward to seeing some cloud photos (with the WB set correctly) from others... thank you.

[Brownbear]

Thank you Mike... I see that I have a lot to work on..

Here is a link to one of his photos... stunning (in B&W but I won't go there, yet )

http://www.metmuseum.org/toah/works-of-art/49.55.29

You might want to consider reviewing Alfred Stieglitz's photos of clouds taken at his home at Lake George, New York, in the 1920s. They are famous for their print quality (Stieglitz was considered a master printer), their simplicity, and their role in the development of his philosophy regarding photography.

[Mike Buckley]

Regarding the in-camera white balance: If I remember correctly, you're using a Nikon D80. The Auto White Balance in the camera is not very accurate and is much improved on later-generation camera models. When shooting outdoors during the daytime, I always used either "sunny" or "cloudy" and adjusted during post-processing as needed. I assume that the software you are using allows you to fine tune the white balance by adjusting the Kelvin temperature and possibly the tint.

[Brownbear]

Hi Mike,
Thank you. I usually use sunny for sunny with my Nikon D80 but auto for cloudy... So this is great for me to know for future.

These cloud shots were taken with my Sony Alpha 200 DSLR, auto WB instead of sunny for some reason.

Yes, both elements 9 and lightroom 4.1 allow me to adjust WB and I did it with the raw photo... It is just that the changes in colour are so dramatic with WB..

Regarding the in-camera white balance: If I remember correctly, you're using a Nikon D80. The Auto White Balance in the camera is not very accurate and is much improved on later-generation camera models. When shooting outdoors during the daytime, I always used either "sunny" or "cloudy" and adjusted during post-processing as needed. I assume that the software you are using allows you to fine tune the white balance by adjusting the Kelvin temperature and possibly the tint.

[PRSearls]

Here is a shot from last summer. A couple more months and we'll have these in the Midwest, USA.

Paul S

[Brownbear]

Beautiful. Great detail.. thanks for sharing

[Downrigger]

These are terrific, Christina (and others who have contributed). I'm inspired to keep looking up, and looking forward to warmer weather when the sky tends to get more interesting.

I question whether there is such a thing as "correct" white balance - at least as a general formula - as the illumination is so variable for different cloud situations a wide range from warm to cool/amber to blue.

Couldn't you "bracket" your shots - and then later try to remember (or check and select for best fidelity from live view, right then, if you have it)? Clouds give one plenty of time to cover a range. Or doesn't that make sense?

[Brownbear]

Thank you Mark

Good point.. I guess I was thinking of WB in terms of representing the colouring and light when the photo was taken.

Bracketing is something I have yet, to try. Will do. Thank you.