Clouds.

[[Geoff Slocock]]

250 px wide. Enlarge in [^popup] or [^new tab].

OK one doesn't stumble on opportunities like this rainbow that often. But these days there are brooding clouds around even if the lighting effects are not as dramatic; and they can still make a subject all of their own.

Because exposure has to be managed a bit carefully the subject matter is not actually that easy, either. Anyone want to have a go?

A graduated software filter, such as that in Picasa, can be used. And that is one method for "livening" up a sky.

I'll be on the lookout for a skyscape photo, tomorrow.

[[Geoff Slocock]]

Excuses, excuses! I took a photo today, but had no sd card. No probs; the camera has a small on board memory. Now I can't find the usb lead. Will try again tomorrow!

[[Geoff Slocock]]

350 px wide. Enlarge in [^popup] or [^new tab].

OK, here I have done it. GE X5 1/125; f 5.5; ISO 64.

I neither want to emphasis that this is easy or hard. Rather, it is a matter of reducing the exposure so that the clouds come across nicely and so that the landscape is not left to dark, either. In practice you will be somewhat aware of where the sun is and how strong it is; you will probably want to to be aware of how adventurous your shot is (and this is not!)

With experience, you will be able to manage those situations where you want to give a little more emphasis to cloud formations. In this example it seems to make a pastoral scene look even more of that ilk. The fullness of the clouds provides counterpoint to the lushness of the early spring grass.

[[Johnny_D]]

A Couple from today. Only real thought was that I used a polarising filter. I'm quite happy with them


Unusual 132kv Tower. by John W. Davies, on Flickr

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A Decent Sky by John W. Davies, on Flickr

JD

[[Geoff Slocock]]

Hmmm! I've just been doing my homework. You see I have a polarising filter but I have never used it for skies. It would seem to be their primary use, too. I looked at this site <!-- m -->nclick="window.open(this.href);return false;">http://www.marshallblack.co.uk/MBP_tpol.html<!-- m -->

So, John, you have got darker blue in the skies that way. That's a good way to go, too.

This has got me thinking about a lot of my earlier shots and whether they would have been better taken in that way.

[Spike]

200 px wide. Enlarge in [^popup] or [^new tab].

Took this one today. ISO80, f3.6, 1/125s

[[Geoff Slocock]]

This one most definitely works. You've worked the exposure well and have preserved all important detail throughout the shot.

In my view, it supports the rule thirds, because the broken shore line is at around the one third mark.

So the camera work is excellent. I or you can do a few post processing tweaks, however.

My suggestions are: correction of level and graduated filter.

I plan to have a go tomorrow morning.

Spike, you have most definitely been putting in time and are getting confident!

Geoff