I have a lot of pictures of cloudy days.
I live in the UK, so clouds are a given here.
For some, they might feel gloomy or dull, but for me, they’re an endless source of inspiration.
The ever-changing clouds bring a certain drama and softness to the world, turning ordinary moments into something extraordinary.
As a photographer, I’ve learned to embrace the grey skies and use them to create images full of mood, texture, and beauty.
If you’ve ever wanted to capture pictures of cloudy days, let me share some tips and personal insights to help you see the clouds in a new light.
Why Are Cloudy Days Are Perfect for Photography?
One of the best things about taking pictures of cloudy days is the even light they provide.
Unlike harsh sunlight that creates strong shadows, clouds act like a giant softbox, diffusing light evenly across the scene.
This makes them perfect for capturing portraits, landscapes, and details without worrying about blown-out highlights or deep shadows.
In the UK, where clouds often dominate the sky, this soft light becomes a natural part of your toolkit.
Whether you’re walking along the coast in Dorset, exploring the rolling hills of the Mendips, or simply wandering through a local park, cloudy days bring a softness to the scenery that’s hard to replicate on sunny days.
Finding Beauty in Moody Skies
Not all clouds are created equal, and part of photographing them is learning to read the sky.
Some of my favourite photos have come from days when the clouds seemed to tell a story.
Dramatic storm clouds rolling in over the horizon can add tension and power to a shot.
Wispy cirrus clouds, on the other hand, bring a sense of calm and serenity.
The UK’s weather is famously unpredictable, which means the sky can change in minutes.
I’ve often headed out on a walk under thick grey clouds, only to find pockets of light breaking through, illuminating the landscape in ways I could never have planned.
These fleeting moments are what make cloudy-day photography so rewarding.
Tips for Taking Pictures of Cloudy Days
1. Use a Filter
A polarising filter can help reduce glare and bring out the texture and depth in clouds. It’s especially useful when photographing dramatic skies or reflections in water on cloudy days.
2. Experiment with Exposure
Clouds can be tricky to expose properly, especially when the sky is bright but the ground is darker. Try underexposing slightly to preserve the detail in the clouds, and use editing software later to bring out the shadows in the landscape.
Or take two exposures, one for the sky and one for the foreground and then blend them together using layer masks.
3. Shoot in RAW
Shooting in RAW gives you more flexibility in post-processing, which is particularly useful when dealing with the subtle tones and textures of clouds.
4. Look for Layers
Cloudy skies often have layers of different textures and shades. Use these layers to create depth in your composition, whether you’re shooting wide landscapes or close-up details.
5. Embrace Reflections
On cloudy days, puddles, lakes, and wet surfaces become perfect mirrors for the sky. These reflections can add symmetry and interest to your photos.
Connecting to Nature
There’s something incredible about taking pictures of a cloudy day.
The muted tones and soft light create a feeling of calm and introspection. For me, it’s a way to slow down and really connect with the world around me.
One of my favourite memories is standing at the top of Pen Y Fan on a cloudy morning. The cloudy sky seemed to stretch forever, blending seamlessly with the mountains.
There was no dramatic sunrise, no golden hour glow, just the quiet beauty of clouds rolling off the edge of the mountain.
Capturing the moment the clouds started to lift and show the landscape, felt like bottling a piece of peace.
In the UK, we’re surrounded by these moments every day. While some might wish for sunnier skies, I’ve learned to treasure the unique beauty of our cloudy weather.
How to Capture Clouds That Tell a Story
Question: How do you photograph clouds to make them look interesting?
To photograph clouds that tell a story, focus on their shapes, layers, and movement. Look for contrast between light and dark areas to highlight texture and drama. Use a wide-angle lens for sweeping skies or a telephoto lens to isolate interesting patterns. Pay attention to how the clouds interact with the landscape, like light beams breaking through or shadows dancing on the ground. Timing is key, so shoot during the golden hour or after a storm for the best results.
Editing Pictures of Cloudy Days
Editing plays a big role in bringing out the beauty of pictures of cloudy days. Here are a few tips to help you enhance your shots:
- Boost Contrast: Clouds often benefit from a slight boost in contrast to make their textures stand out.
- Adjust Highlights and Shadows: Bring down the highlights to recover detail in bright clouds and lift the shadows to add depth to the landscape.
- Play with Tones: Cooler tones can enhance the mood of a grey day, while warmer tones can add a touch of softness.
- Dodge and Burn: Use selective adjustments to emphasise areas of light and shadow, creating an image with more depth.
Taking Pictures of Cloudy Days is an Adventure
Living in the UK, I’ve come to see cloudy days not as a limitation but as an opportunity.
They’ve taught me to embrace the unexpected, to find beauty in the subtle and the overlooked.
Photography is as much about how we see the world as it is about the final image, and cloudy days have a way of sharpening that perspective.
Next time the sky turns grey, don’t hide indoors.
Whether you’re capturing dramatic storm clouds over the countryside or using soft grey skies as a softbox for your portraits, you’ll find that cloudy days have a lot to offer.
And what happens when those clouds start to rain? Take a look at my inspiration guide for photographing rain.
