The Art of Clouds: The Beauty of the Sky Through a Photographer's Lens

3. The Role of Light in Cloud Photography

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The core of photography is light, and cloud photography most clearly shows this. Photographers have an endless range of moods and settings to capture as the interaction of light and clouds produces an always shifting show in the heavens. Cloud photographers depend on an awareness of how light behaves at various times of the day. For cloud photography especially, the golden hours—just after sunrise and before sunset—are quite wonderful. The low angle of the sun during these times blankets clouds in warm, golden light, producing amazing color contrasts and long, dramatic shadows. For capturing the complexity and volume of cumulus clouds against a deep blue sky, midday light—often considered harsh for other kinds of photography—can be perfect. The shifting angle and color of light as the day goes on change the look of clouds and present fresh chances for artistic images. Photographers also have to be sensitive to the minute interactions of light both inside and outside clouds. Backlighting can provide dramatic silhouettes or highlight cloud edges, therefore providing a silver lining impression. Side-lighting reveals the form and structure of clouds, therefore improving their three-dimensional quality. The diffused light sifting a homogeneous layer of stratus clouds can produce a dreamy, ethereal atmosphere ideal for melancholy landscapes or portraits even on overcast days. Mastery of light in cloud photography depends on patience and observation; one must wait for that ideal time when the clouds and light line up to produce an amazing scene.