Time of Day - Cloudy Weather and Rain (4.3c)

Requirement

• 4/6 images - Sunlight vs. Cloud
• 2 images - Overcast
• 2 images - Rain

Purpose

• To practice the technique of making the most of prevailing weather conditions

Technical learning

• Clouds act both as a filter (they diffuse sunlight) and a reflector (if they are white and in the right part of the sky)
• Clouds are of numerous types, from fair weather to a featureless grey blanket
• Clouds covering the sun soften shadows, making the scene evenly lit, so that shapes appear less modelled

Exercise instructions

Part 1 - Sunlight vs. Cloud

• Shoot the same scene in sunlit and under cloud
• Choose 2 or 3 different subjects (e.g. building, person, street scene)
• Set White Balance to 'Daylight'
• What is the difference in exposure between the sunlit and cloudy conditions?
• Does the scene shot in cloudy conditions have a blue cast compared to the sunlit ones?

Part 2 - Overcast

• On an overcast day, take 2 images: (a) one containing detail with pronounced relief and (b) an object with a strong colour

Part 3 - Rain

• On a rainy day, pick scenes that flourish as photographs in such conditions, such as (a) reflections in puddles, surfaces, (b) raindrops on glass, (c) ripples as rain strikes pools of water, (d) misty appearance of landscapes, and (e) rainbows
• Tips: (i) stay under cover except whilst shooting, (ii) wipe lens and camera after each shot and (iii) use either a high ISO or tripod

Images and review

Part 1 - Sunlight vs. Cloud
Sunlit subjects have harder shadows and warmer light (more yellow), than overcast ones

Woodcarving in sunlight (WB = daylight)

Woodcarving in overcast conditions (WB = daylight)

Part 2 - Overcast

Makes colours less vibrant but increases visible detail due to even light

Autumn fields on an overcast day

Poppy field in overcast conditions

Part 3 - Rain

View through taxi window on a wet afternoon
Again shot hand held with a compact camera

London Eye reflected in puddle after rain
as seen from outside Royal Festival Hall