Tips for Taking Beautiful Cloud Photos
February 24th, 2009 by Dan BodensteinClouds are very interesting subjects to photograph and with a few tips you can end up with some beautiful photos. Your cloud photos will turn out the best when the background sky is either bright light blue or dark blue. Look for clouds with interesting shapes and sizes. There are no two clouds that are same. Each one has its own unique formation and if you use your imagination, you will see many things floating in the clouds. There are not any complicated techniques necessary to take great cloud photos. But, choosing the right camera lens will turn good cloud photos into great cloud photos.
It is absolutely critical to hold you camera very still when you press the shutter button. An inexpensive tripod is a wise investment that will guarantee that your camera will not move or shake when you press the shutter. If you don’t have a tripod, you can sit your camera on top of a rock-solid object. Hold your camera firmly with both hands and use your right index finger only to press the shutter button. A polarizing filter can enhance the contrast between the blue sky and the white clouds helping the clouds to stand out in the photo. Clouds are constantly moving and changing, so make sure that you shoot fast and as quickly as possible before the cloud vanishes into thin air. Frame the clouds in your viewfinder, press the shutter button and you will get some beautiful blue and white color images.
If you want to add some perspective and dimension to your clouds, trying adding some foreground objects in your photos. Choose a foreground that is interesting and that fits well in your photo. When you are looking through the viewfinder, check to ensure that you have a level horizon before you press the button. Many people accidentally tilt their cameras to the left when they press the shutter button. The good news is that most photo editing software programs have a feature that allows you to straighten the image. Remember to turn your camera to vertical or portrait photos too.
It is important to check the film exposure before you begin shooting your cloud photos. Cloud photos will turn out better if they are a little underexposed. Digital cameras give the option to change exposures rather easily so you can take multiple photos of the same cloud and adjust the exposure slightly for each photo. For example, take the first shot at the exposure you think will work best. Then, take another shot that is slightly underexposes and take an additional shot that is slightly overexposed and you just about guarantee yourself a great photo. And, the beauty of a digital camera as compared to a film camera is that you can take as many photos as you like at no additional cost.
Comments
thanks for the tips
Hello, have looking on your great pictures here,
they are wow, specially the big cat and the sea turtle. 
I live in Sweden and here we don’t have such marine life as the big oceans has.
I read your tips to photo clouds, I use to do that sometimes and they really looks different, no cloud is like others.
I am new and a amateur photograph but I love to photo insects and other animals, the nature too ofcourse.
I bought by first digital camera in october -08 and I just love it!
I will come back on this blog so keep up the good job with different tips.
have good day/evening…
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