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Stormy Skies Photo Inspiration From ShootDotEdit Customers

1. Photography by Orlando

2. Olson Design Photography

3. Diane Nicole Photography

4. J. Perryman Photography

5. Jorge Santiago Photography

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Tips To Photograph Stormy Skies

Sometimes, the vast sky resembles the calming blue quietude of a still lake on a sunny day untouched by breezy ripples. At other times, the same welkin could have a dark and dramatic eerie presence. The myriad looks it wears are unpredictable – changing as the wind alters its velocity and direction, the variations in the weather, and the changing course of the day. And when you set out to capture the stormy skies, it becomes all the more important that you know the right techniques so that your images match up to the magical spell of the stormy skies that you are aiming to photograph. The tips shared below could help you achieve that.

1. Use A Tripod

Stepping outdoors in stormy weather to photograph the beauty of the tempest and the effect it has on the sky above? A tripod could help you steer clear of a lot of blurry images. This equipment could help you provide a sturdy grip that it requires to capture all the minute details. Moreover, to eliminate the possibility of a blur caused by pressing the shutter button, you can opt to use a remote release system. Using tripods can allow you better control over freezing the motion, better stability, and gain sharper images. One added benefit of using tripods during bad weather is that it could help you yield better results during low-light conditions. Moreover, if you are planning to take long exposure shots to capture motion blur, having your camera mounted on a sturdy tripod is a must.

2. Composition

When including stormy skies in your frame, you can opt to make them your main subject or use them as a backdrop. But whatever you choose to do, being mindful of the composition is key. One easy-to-follow composition rule that can work well for sky photography is the rule of thirds. Where you frame the horizon can help play a pivotal role in enhancing the look and feel of your images. However, try to use these rules to elevate the essence of your images, not limit your creativity. In fact, sometimes, breaking the rule and thinking out of the box can really help your scene stand out. Carefully include the sky in your composition so that all of it – the elements, your subject, the sky – feels like a part of one whole scene, not three contrasting segments.

Related Read: Photography Composition Techniques For Beginners

3. Use Protective Cover For Your Gear

Outdoor photography, especially during rainy or stormy weather, can be challenging. This makes it important to protect your photography gear from external elements such as moisture, grain, water, etc. So when going outdoors to photograph in stormy weather, carry a waterproof rain cover for your camera along with a lens cloth to wipe the lens clean every once in a while. Once you are done for the day, add silicon storage pouches in your gear bag so that they can soak any remaining moisture from your gear. In addition to that, you could also use neutral density filters or UV filters to your lens as an added layer of protection.

4. Shift Your POV

Bright blue sunny skies could be a great addition to your photographs, but so could be stormy skies. Try to think out of the box and shift your perspective to incorporate something unique – something striking and unexpected. Stormy weather often tends to introduce a sense of drama and mystery to your scene, which can help build interesting perspective shifts. For instance, imagine photographing a famous landscape or a cityscape with a stormy and intense backdrop.

5. Make Creative Use Of The Drizzle

Do not let the rain dampen your photography plans. In fact, if experimented well, you can use the drizzle to your creative benefit. Increase your ISO, set to a faster shutter speed, and try to use umbrellas as props and reflectors. Moreover, experimenting with backlighting can really work to your benefit and can help you create some stellar photographs. On the other hand, be on the lookout for reflections as well; sometimes they can add an interesting touch to your scene – reflecting on the subject and the sky.

Further Read: Mountain Wilderness Inspiration From ShootDotEdit Customers

Incorporating a dramatic sky in your frame holds the potential to create some of the most fascinating images. The trick lies in understanding how to mold your skill of stormy sky photography into a composition that works in your favor. We hope that the above-mentioned tips and photo inspiration help you gain some insights on how to navigate your way when the sky looks torrid and tempestuous. For more such photo inspiration, take a look at our blogs.

Here at ShootDotEdit, we love bringing you the ideas that help inspire the creative in you! We also love enhancing your wedding photos with editing, taking the load off your post-production workflow. To learn more about how we can help, take a look at our pricing plans.