Cloudy weather and rain

Part 1 - Scenes at different times of day: sunlight and under cloud.

The first set where taken at ISO 100 and aperture f/2.8; white balance set to cloudy.  I allowed the camera to adjust the shutter speed automatically.

1/1500s

In the first image the scene is exposed perfectly with sufficient detail and colour in the sky.  The colours are bright and there is depth in between the fence slates.












 

1/500 s

In the second image, at the time there was cloud in the sky but not as much as the image suggests, indeed the sky is blown out and no trace of blue visible.  There is also a halo effect around the trees at the back.  The image is flat, the colours are dull and there is little texture or shade.  But the detail at the back of the garden is more visible.

1/1000s

I tried the shot again, but this time underexposed it.  The garden section of the photograph is duller but the sky has been captured better.















The second set of images I took of Millenium bridge show a dramatic contrast in the effect of lighting.  The first image, in overcast conditions, ISO 400, 1/350s, f/8, picture looks flat with no contrast, shot at 9am, average exposure.

The second exposure, taken at 9.20am, so not much difference in daylight, but entirely different conditions.  At half a stop underexposed, ISO 100, 1/90s, f/19, the picture is much more vibrant with better contrast.

Here is the average exposure: ISO 100, 1/60s, f/19; also quite dramatic, but colours not quite so saturated.

I like this scene in mono at 1 stop under exposed - I think this is worth attempting on a day with a dramatic sky, wide-angled lens and polariser:

My third scene is on the bridge itself at 9.25am with people walking up and down; first exposure - good sunlight, good contrast, nice glow in people's faces and clear strong shadows.  This was shot at ISO 100, f/16, 1/180s and 1 stop underexposed.

The same scene on an overcast morning is completely different; at 9.10am no shadow, no contrast, slightly reflection as the bridge is wet, no definition in the buildings and the scene looks generally miserable.  This was shot at ISO 800, 1/2000s, f/6.7 (I could have used a smaller aperture and slower shutterspeed and/or lower ISO)...and 1 stop underexposed.

Part 2 - three photographs outdoors on an overcast day, making good use of the enveloping, shadowless light.  Look for detail with pronounced relief and an object of strong colour.  All the photos were taken at average exposure, however, in each case the sky suffers.  It seems that there is a trade off between detail in the sky and colour in the rest of the photo.  Overcast days really aren't good for photography.

 

The third part of the exercise required some photographs in rainy conditions - minimum 2.  I got a little carried away here - really enjoying the effects of the rain and reflections.  See also Outdoors at night 3 ; apart from the close up of St Paul's dome; these were all shot in the rain.  Additional photographs below - in all of these, I think I could have used a smaller aperture though to capture a bit more detail:

My favourite ever rain shot was taken in Hong Kong before I started the course and using a Nikon Coolpix - it was taken through a tram window.  I have never seen so many umbrellas in my life!