Ideas for cloudy/winter shots

[Noonie]

I'm sure you've all faced this before.  You have a job, and in the winter months, when the sun rises and sets so that you can't take photos during the week (much), you find there is far less daylight than in summer.  Problem I've had lately is that it's overcast most weekends...at least when I want to take photos.

I usually hike once a weekend and bring my camera.  I hike in forests where the trees are empty of leaves, and things are generally brown.  Throw in a grey sky and you get the idea.  Otherwise, I bring my camera in the car and look for photo opportunities as they arise.

I'm looking for inspiration on what subjects/scenes make for interesting photography on the overcast days of winter.  Note - I don't live around mountains or lakes or historic cities.  There are plenty of rivers, barns, gentle rolling hills, and then suburban sprawl.

[PhotoEcosse]

One benefit of winter is that we are not plagued by the bright sunshine and hopelessly high light angles that make shooting in summer so unrewarding. Dramatic (bad) weather can really give us some tremendous photographic opportunities.

If you look at most photos by "masters" such as Ansell Adams, the actual scenery that he shot was singularly flat and uninspiring and it was the weather and lighting that made the shots.

On days when the light in the countryside is genuinely just "too flat" for photos, go into the towns and cities. Really flat light can be exactly what you need for effective street photography. Or, if your inclination is towards nature photography, once again flat light can be a blessing in disguise.

[jferrari]

Flat and uninspiring is probably not how most people would describe Yosemite Valley or …

If we must look to Ansel Adams for inspiration -- Leaves, Glacier Bay, Alaska

Just too bad that ol' Ansel was color blind. That image would look soooo much nicer in color!! 

[Noonie]

Shortly after asking the question, I looked out my window and noticed some cardinals and bluejays.  I was able to capture them resting on a tree and then a fence.  That was a nice treat.  And their bright and colourful feathers popped against the dull background.

It actually drizzled all day long so I didn't venture out.  Thought I did come up with one idea - I'll bring my camera to work most days and will take it out on lunch to some parks/sites close to work.

[PhotoEcosse]

Flat and uninspiring is probably not how most people would describe Yosemite Valley or …

Oddly enough, Isaac, Yosemite was exactly the location that I had in mind when I made that comment. In reality, it is one of the drabbest places on Earth if you really look at it. Monotonous grey rock formations - Yuk! But add some dramatic skies and lighting and it is transformed into something well worth photographing. Which is why I keep going back there again and again and again. Although the rocks don't change, the weather most certainly does.

[Isaac]

Oddly enough, Isaac, Yosemite was exactly the location that I had in mind when I made that comment.

It's simply explained: I remember your opinion from the last time you said so.

In reality, it is one of the drabbest places on Earth if you really look at it.

Other people see Yosemite differently when they really look.

[Slobodan Blagojevic]

B&W and/or close up shots.

For additional inspiration, check Michael Kenna's winter shots (for instance: Hokkaido)

[SZRitter]

One of the biggest advantages is that "drab" sky. It is basically one giant soft box. So, I usually look for details that are interesting and rendered nicely in the flat light. It is also a really good time for outdoor portraits. B&W is also your friend. There can be a lot of shape and tone to those rolling hills and the snow you wouldn't normally get in any other season.

[Noonie]

I am planning on exploring B&W photography.  Dreamy.  High contrast.

Problem is every time I look at examples online or in books the photos are often shot at exciting locations.  I live in a small suburb an hour outside of Toronto.  If I lived near a place like Yosemite I wouldn't be complaining!  But I like the idea of a challenge so we'll see what I can come up with!

[Slobodan Blagojevic]

That is why I mentioned Michael Kenna: if you look at his winter landscapes, they are all rather simple, a tree, a slope, a hedge, with a lot of negative space around... nothing spectacular or exotic.

[Noonie]

That is why I mentioned Michael Kenna: if you look at his winter landscapes, they are all rather simple, a tree, a slope, a hedge, with a lot of negative space around... nothing spectacular or exotic.

Thanks.  I didn't check when you first posted the links...but that was very helpful and the type of imagery that is close to home.

[Isaac]

Problem is every time I look at examples online or in books the photos are often shot at exciting locations.

Ever heard of Redding Stream? Me neither; but every time I see Paul Caponigro's photograph I want to show other people and exclaim - Look what he saw!

[SZRitter]

I am planning on exploring B&W photography.  Dreamy.  High contrast.

Problem is every time I look at examples online or in books the photos are often shot at exciting locations.  I live in a small suburb an hour outside of Toronto.  If I lived near a place like Yosemite I wouldn't be complaining!  But I like the idea of a challenge so we'll see what I can come up with!

It's not a problem of where you live, it's a problem of not allowing yourself to see. Sure, if all you want are grand vistas, I could see saying that, but sometimes even the most mundane scene can hold an interesting view.

[sdwilsonsct]

Ever heard of Redding Stream? Me neither; but every time I see Paul Caponigro's photograph I want to show other people and exclaim - Look what he saw!

Nice! Thanks.

Noonie: see The Art of Seeing.

[RobbieV]

Hey Noonie,

I live in Hamilton and often feel the same way you do. Long hours at work - come into work in the dark and leave in the dark. I found a book that helped me through the tougher times where you really have to hone your photographic eye. Look in your local library for this book. It's great.

http://www.amazon.com/The-Practice-Contemplative-Photography-Seeing/dp/1590307798

[pcgpcg]

Take advantage of this as an opportunity for an exercise in searching for beauty and design.  Sometimes beauty is shoved in our face and we can't help but get a striking photo (think Antelope Canyon).   More often it is hidden and it is the duty and privilege of the artist to uncover it and reveal it to others.  Don't think this requires luck.  It requires discipline, hard work, and practice.  What most may see as drab and uninspiring subject matter thus becomes the best platform for learning how to see and find beauty.  You can have fun with this.  For example, set your self a goal like... "I'm going to find the best photo I can of a crack in a sidewalk between 8 and 8:05 AM this morning".  I put a time limit in there to keep me from wandering around looking for something to jump out at me because it almost never will.  You have to get down and dig it up!  Do this a lot and you will develop your eye for finding good photos.  Those drab winter days are very valuable.  Don't waste them (I keep telling myself...).

[Noonie]

Nice! Thanks.

Noonie: see The Art of Seeing.

Picked it up yesterday from the library - thanks.

[Noonie]

In the last couple of weeks I've had a chance to visit some areas within a 30 minute drive of my house that offer some interesting subjects to photograph: small waterfalls, old mills, outdoor sculptures, suspension bridges, ponds and lakes, historic buildings and ruins.  I happened to visit these areas on cloudy days, but there were plenty of photo opportunities.

I've also been practicing seeing (without a camera), whether I'm driving to work, out with the family, etc., I'm looking for interesting subjects (in terms of contrasts, lines/shapes, textures, etc.).  This has the double advantage of being a skill I can use when photographing both exciting (and obvious) subjects (waterfalls, etc.) and mediocre ones that require creativity.

When I first got back into photography recently I thought I was most interested in "landscape" photography, and while I still want to photograph landscapes, I'm finding my interests are more diverse.

This has been very helpful - thanks!

[PhotoEcosse]

In the last couple of weeks I've had a chance to visit some areas within a 30 minute drive of my house that offer some interesting subjects to photograph: small waterfalls, old mills, outdoor sculptures, suspension bridges, ponds and lakes, historic buildings and ruins.  I happened to visit these areas on cloudy days, but there were plenty of photo opportunities.

I've also been practicing seeing (without a camera), whether I'm driving to work, out with the family, etc., I'm looking for interesting subjects (in terms of contrasts, lines/shapes, textures, etc.).  This has the double advantage of being a skill I can use when photographing both exciting (and obvious) subjects (waterfalls, etc.) and mediocre ones that require creativity.

When I first got back into photography recently I thought I was most interested in "landscape" photography, and while I still want to photograph landscapes, I'm finding my interests are more diverse.

This has been very helpful - thanks!

Really glad that you have found the discussion useful, Noonie.

I have also found a couple of the books recommended farther up the thread of interest. Always nice at this time of year to have something to spend Amazon vouchers on.

[NancyP]

I am partial to the magic hour light of winter, for color photos including sky. I love the light reflecting in clouds. Of course this implies that somewhere, maybe over the horizon, there is a clear patch of sky.
If I am not concentrating on sky as the subject, I use overcast days for "details" photography of rock formations, tree bark, dried prairie plants, etc.
I would love overcast days for bird photography, but I admit that using an 400mm f/5.6 non-stabilized lens is less than ideal. I would love one of the expensive f/4 supertelephoto lenses. I am still out there anyway, high ISO and all - I am shooting for my own fun, and bird behavior counts for more than noiseless images.  It's eagle season here in MO/IL - eagles come from the north to fish in our lock-and-dam areas.