Taking pictures in UK... weather ;)

Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS

08/31/2006 09:05:02 AM · #1

Hi I need some advice from the people living in UK (and other not very sunny places), on how to get the most out of the gloomy weather?

I mean, what do you do now that the days are getting gloomy again, with no sky detail at all and poor light. How can I compensate for that and still get interesting pictures outdoors? is it the time to practice my B&W photography?

I do not have a studio so I cannot stage all my challenge shots ;)

Thanks for the help.

Ivan

Konador

Canon EOS-500D Rebel T1i

08/31/2006 09:13:39 AM · #2

I personally go B&W and try to make sure there is at least some gradient present which I can bring out more in PP. Examples:

A graduated ND filter would make sure you get it to a certain extent in each shot.

Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS

08/31/2006 09:27:42 AM · #3

Originally posted by Konador:

I personally go B&W and try to make sure there is at least some gradient present which I can bring out more in PP.

A graduated ND filter would make sure you get it to a certain extent in each shot.

Thank you Ben,

Do you prefer a specific one? hard or soft edged?
what about two-stop soft-edged in general and three-stop hard-edged for more extreme situations? I don't know much about filters this came from a quick search LoL. This filters will work ok with my camera?

Thanks again

Nice pics BTW

Message edited by author 2006-08-31 09:28:51.

Konador

Canon EOS-500D Rebel T1i

08/31/2006 09:30:44 AM · #4

Sorry, no idea! I don't actually have one :P The gradients in the photos I posted were very feintly present in the originals naturally, so I just made them more obvious in Photoshop. They are just something that goes in front of the lens though, so even if you can't officially attach them to your camera, you could still hold them in front with your hands or some tape or something :P

Thanks! :)

Message edited by author 2006-08-31 09:31:15.

cheekymunky

08/31/2006 09:35:32 AM · #5

Hi, not sure if your camera has a thread on the lens (it looks like it might), if so I'd recommend the Cokin system, Cokin 'a' filters would probably do you, and they are pretty cheap on ebay, thats what I used with my sony F717. A few graduated ones and a circular polarizer and you'll be well away!

For example: a tobacco graduated filter:

Message edited by author 2006-08-31 09:36:12.

08/31/2006 09:41:22 AM · #6

Thank you, I have found some tips to do the grad ND in PP. I will look into it, of course if it's already there might be better. Do you think shooting in RAW might give and extra help with this kind of shots?

cpanaioti

Canon EF 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6 DO IS USM

08/31/2006 09:42:21 AM · #7

Graduated ND filters will work on any camera provided you have some way of attaching them. Regarding hard or soft edge, this depends on the scene you are using them on.

In general a soft edge would be used if the transition point doesn't allow for easy hiding of the gradation line. A hard edge would be used if the gradation line can be hidden easily in the image.

Konador

Canon EOS-500D Rebel T1i

Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS

08/31/2006 09:43:22 AM · #8

Adding a gradient that is not there in the original might be considered adding a major element in advanced editing, and it definately wouldn't be legal in basic editing. For non-challenge shots though, I always add a little gradient to sky just to draw the eye inwards more :)

08/31/2006 09:45:51 AM · #9

Originally posted by cheekymunky:

Thanks Mark, nice photo will go to my favs later on :)
Yes, the camera has a thread for the filters. I usually have a UV filter attached. I also have a cokin polarizer, I was using it only for sunny days. I will try it now for overcast days.

08/31/2006 09:47:56 AM · #10

Originally posted by Konador:

Excellent tips both for challenge and non-challenge entries, thank you.

Canon EF 28-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM

08/31/2006 09:52:22 AM · #11

Originally posted by cpanaioti:

Thanks, should I use manual mode to get the most out of these filters? I mean to consider the stops or what do I have to consider to avoid getting too dark images?

Thanks for the comments! I was getting sad again because of the weather hahaha, remember that I come from milder weather (well not now, hurricane john is hitting Puerto Vallarta in Mexico)

mist

Canon EOS-60D

08/31/2006 10:05:24 AM · #12

I'd definitely recommend shooting in raw for this sort of weather. September's Digital Photo magazine had a little section on improving pics taken in overcast weather, and it's amazing how much can be achieved by using the power of the RAW images along with a bit of photoshop goodness to turn a bland, dull landscape into a moody, exciting photo.

The RAW allows you to use the same shot, but expose it twice, one for the sky and one for the other features, and combine the two.

cheekymunky

08/31/2006 10:11:59 AM · #13

I find it so much easier shooting it right in the first place than trying to PS it (as I normally make a mess of it!), I havent been that impressed with PS grad filter to be honest! If your camera has a live preview then using the filters shouldnt be a problem, with an SLR I usually take a few test shots and use the exposure compenation to nail it.

Canon EF 24-105mm f/4.0L IS

08/31/2006 12:52:24 PM · #14

bump ;)

LoveSpuds

Canon EOS-550D Rebel T2i

08/31/2006 01:03:05 PM · #15

Go to W H Smiths and pick up this moths edition of Digital Photo Magazine.

I don't normally take this mag but it had a very good section on exactly this issue, how to get the best out of your shots in tricky weather.

There are a few Photoshop tutorials too with Photoshop movies on a CD.

Canon EF 24-105mm f/4.0L IS

08/31/2006 01:49:55 PM · #16

Originally posted by LoveSpuds:

Great Darren, I will do just that tomorrow morning ;) thank you very much.

jimness

Canon EOS-5D

Canon EF 20-35mm f/2.8L

08/31/2006 01:55:33 PM · #17

agree with the comments on this month's Digital photo magazine. it can be as simple as just increasing the white balance to make an overcast shot look sunny - then of course you can use the cloudy skies to your advantage with plenty of dodge & burn and curves in Photoshop.

LoveSpuds

Canon EOS-550D Rebel T2i

08/31/2006 02:13:01 PM · #18

Originally posted by ivaldovi:

Originally posted by LoveSpuds:
Go to W H Smiths and pick up this moths edition of Digital Photo Magazine.

I don't normally take this mag but it had a very good section on exactly this issue, how to get the best out of your shots in tricky weather.

There are a few Photoshop tutorials too with Photoshop movies on a CD.

Great Darren, I will do just that tomorrow morning ;) thank you very much.

Glad to be of help, but you should thank my missus really, it was her buying clothes in the city centre that drove me to sneak off to W H Smiths when she wasn't looking LOL

Message edited by author 2006-08-31 14:13:28.

Falc

Canon EOS-1D Mark III

Canon EF 16-35mm f/2.8L USM

08/31/2006 02:48:31 PM · #19

Get out the 'JACKO-kit' and practice macros ;-)

Canon 5D with 100mm macro f2.8 + 35mm extension tubes + reversed 50mm f1.8 mkII - thats one hell of a stack!!

Canon EF 28-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM

08/31/2006 02:50:33 PM · #20

Originally posted by LoveSpuds:

Glad to be of help, but you should thank my missus really, it was her buying clothes in the city centre that drove me to sneak off to W H Smiths when she wasn't looking LOL

ROFLMAO!! I certainly know about that ;)

Tallbloke

Canon EOS-350D Rebel XT

08/31/2006 03:26:01 PM · #21

Sometimes the gloomy weather can be a bonus

I took that same shot the day before with a nice blue sky and it got binned once I saw this moody one

Steve

Canon EF 17-40mm f/4.0L USM

08/31/2006 06:23:24 PM · #22

Just a last bump for the people at the other side of the Atlantic, I know you have bad weather sometimes too ;)

All help is appreciated.

Ivan

Ecce_Signum

Canon EOS-5D Mark II

08/31/2006 06:35:43 PM · #23

Just a thought on the ND grad bit earlier. A guy a LEE told me that dSLRS work better with hard grads than soft ones. I was also after a full grad and he was good enough to tell me not to bother as a LEE ND Grad will cover my 77mm lenses as full grads. They may be expensive but they double up as full grads and are Neutral Density, I understand Cokin are grey.

cpanaioti