Friday Photo Tip | Overcast
My two favorite lighting situations to shoot in are golden hour (that hour right after sunrise or right before sunset when the sun is low and dreamy gold!) and on overcast days. Now, most of my clients tend to be disappointed if their session day comes along and it’s cloudy. I get it, that golden back-lighting is gorgeous, but don’t discount the beauty of an overcast day! When the clouds block the sun, they literally act as a giant light diffuser, sending soft, indirect light everywhere. The beauty of this is that you end up with gorgeous light pretty much anywhere you want to shoot. And if you’re a beginning/amateur photographer, these are GREAT days to practice.
Since clouds act as natural diffusers, they soften the light spreading it evenly across any subject. Unlike sunny days, where direct sunlight can create harsh shadows and squinty eyes, overcast days provide soft, gentle light enhances skin tones and highlights the subject's features. As a result, the photos will have a soft, dreamy quality, which is great for family portraits.
Secondly, an overcast day offers greater flexibility when choosing a shooting location. On sunny days, we photographers have to consider the angle of the sun, and we try to avoid shooting in the direct sunlight. But on an overcast day, we can shoot anywhere, regardless of the direction of the light. And since the beach has little to no shade, this can be an ideal scenario for getting great lighting.
Finally, an overcast day is an excellent opportunity for amateur photographers to practice their skills. The gentle light on an overcast day is more forgiving than direct sunlight, allowing photographers to experiment with different poses and angles without worrying about harsh shadows or overexposed highlights. It's an ideal time to practice capturing emotion/connection and to focus on composition and framing.
So, my Friday photo tip this week is - get outside on the next overcast day and shoot anywhere and everywhere. The light will be forgiving and beautiful! And if you happen to have a session scheduled on an overcast day, embrace the opportunity to create stunning, dreamy images that you will cherish forever.
Want me to worry about the lighting? Let’s talk about a session!