Well, we survived Tropical Storm Bill! It wasn’t but a month ago that we experienced horrible flooding all across Texas. Buildings and highways were shut down, bayous overflowed and lots of shoots were rescheduled. It was a bit uncomfortable knowing a tropical storm was headed our way when all the lakes and ponds were still full, but luckily the storm wasn’t as bad as they had predicted, phew! Now, we just have the cloudy skies aftermath. So, I thought I’d share with you my take on shooting in cloudy weather.
If you’ll remember a few weeks ago, I talked about the “Golden Hour” and shooting only during the 2 hour window before sunset or after sunrise. The only exception to that rule for me, is if it’s cloudy. Some photographers will not shoot if it’s cloudy and overcast, but depending on the type of session, I will shoot regardless, unless it’s actually raining…and even then I may just ask you just to bring an umbrella!
Overcast or cloudy days can actually be great for headshots and portraits. Imagine the sun being your flash. The clouds act as a giant softbox and provide even light all across your face. You also don’t have to worry about trees or other elements giving you harsh shadows. I usually look for an open space so I can get as much light on the subject as possible.
Here’s some examples of photos taken early afternoon on cloudy days.
