Shooting in overcast weather may not always seem ideal for photography, but to be honest it’s one of my favorite times to shoot!! Overcast weather offers a unique opportunity to capture moody and atmospheric images that can evoke a sense of drama and emotion. Whether you’re a seasoned photographer or just starting out, shooting in overcast conditions can yield stunning results with the right approach. In this blog post, I’m going to explore some tips and techniques for making the most of overcast weather and capturing compelling photographs.

EMBRACE SOFT EVENING LIGHTING

One of the advantages of overcast weather is the soft, diffused light it provides. Unlike harsh sunlight, which can create harsh shadows and high contrast, overcast skies act like a giant softbox, casting a gentle, even light over your subjects. Take advantage of this soft lighting to capture portraits with flattering, natural skin tones, and to reveal fine details and textures in landscapes and still life scenes.

MAKE YOUR COLORS POP 

While overcast skies may appear gray and gloomy, they provide an excellent backdrop for vibrant colors to pop. Bright sun tends to wash overwhelm and wash out colors. Whereas cloudy skies block the sun, allowing colors to appear much more vibrant. 

For example, look at a field on a sunny day. You will see a lot of light reflected off the tall grass. And the color of the grass/hay will appear much lighter. Visit the same field on an overcast day and you will find that so many more colors jump out at you. The browns will be much deeper, sometimes even with a reddish tint because the colors aren’t being overwhelmed by the reflection of the sunlight bouncing around. 

Use overcast weather as an opportunity to look for colorful subjects to add visual interest and contrast to your photographs. Incorporate these bold colors against the muted backdrop of the overcast sky for striking results.

EXPLORE MOODY ATMOSPHERE

Because of the darker lighting and cloudy skies shooting in overcast weather can create a sense of moodiness and atmosphere in your photographs. Use this to your advantage by seeking out subjects and scenes that complement the subdued ambiance of the overcast sky. Think abandoned buildings, misty landscapes, or solitary figures in contemplative poses. Play with composition, framing, and perspective to convey the sense of mystery and introspection that overcast weather often inspires.

ADJUST YOUR WHITE BALANCE ACCORDINGLY

Shooting in overcast weather can sometimes cast a cool, blue tint over your photographs. To maintain accurate colors and ensure a natural-looking image (especially skin tones), adjust your camera’s white balance settings accordingly. Consider setting your white balance to “cloudy” or manually adjusting the temperature to warm up the image slightly, balancing out the cool tones of the overcast sky. And if you forget this step in the field you can always adjust it while editing (I end up doing this most of the time).

TIMING

One of my favorite aspects of shooting in overcast weather is that it allows me to shoot at anytime during the day. This is always a huge win for me. It can be hard to get up early for a sunrise or stay up late in the Summer waiting for golden hour at sunset to get your photographs (especially if you are working with small children). If the weather is overcast, consider it a free pass to shoot whenever you want! You don’t have to worry about the harsh shadows created by bright sunlight in the middle of the day.

SHOOTING INDOORS

Shooting in overcast weather is not only great for outdoor photography but for indoors as well. I always try to shoot my window light portraits on overcast days if possible. The overcast sky ensures that bright light won’t be shining in my window creating unwanted shadows. In addition, there will not bright sunlight reflecting colors through your window from outside. Have you ever tried to shoot inside on a sunny day in the summer only to find an ugly yellow/green light cast on your subject? This is the sunlight bouncing off the green grass and reflecting the color in through your window. Shooting in overcast weather eliminates this problem! 

CAPTURE DRAMATIC SKIES

While overcast skies may lack the vibrant colors of a sunset or the dramatic clouds of a stormy day, they can still provide opportunities for capturing compelling sky scenes. Look for breaks in the clouds, patches of blue sky, or hints of sunlight breaking through the overcast canopy. These moments of contrast and dynamic light can add visual interest and drama to your photographs, creating captivating compositions that draw the viewer’s eye.

If your sky is just a washout of white then this can be a great time to experiment with sky overlays. Because your sky is basically blank and your lighting is so even, it is the perfect canvas to fill. I love to take this opportunity to create my own dramatic sky entirely in photoshop. Additionally you can experiment with different post-processing techniques to enhance the mood and atmosphere of your photographs, whether it’s adding grain for a vintage look or increasing contrast for a more dramatic effect.

LET’S RECAP!

• Embrace soft even lighting
• Make your colors pop
• Explore moody atmosphere
• Adjust your white balance accordingly
• Timing
• Shooting indoors
• Capture dramatic skies

By embracing the unique qualities of overcast weather, you can capture stunning photographs that convey a sense of mood, atmosphere, and emotion. So don’t let gray skies get you down—grab your camera, venture outdoors (or indoors), and discover the beauty and creativity that awaits in the subtle nuances of overcast weather. If you are looking for more inspiration for your photography this winter check out my post here all about Embracing Winter Light!

XO,

Ruth

P.S. This month I am participating in a blog circle with some of my photography friends. Check out my friend Rosa, a Montana De Oro Photographer, and her blog post about Montana De Oro and why it’s a great location for family photos.

Ruth Young is a professional, portrait photographer and photography educator located in Culpeper, Virginia. She photographs her daily life with her 5 small children and has a passion for teaching photography. For more about Ruth follow her on Instagram where she posts daily.