The Sky is the Limit
About a year ago, a photographer that I know came bursting out of his house with his camera equipment, as if he knew that Scarlett Johansson was going to be at the Hinckley Hilton and he was rushing to get some shots of her. I asked him what his hurry was and he said, “The sky! The sky! When the sky is this good I have to go out and shoot! It’s all about the sky!”
At the time I don’t think I had ever formulated that thought, but it was something I just knew in the back of my mind. When you have a killer sky, no matter what time of day, it can really add some depth and character to your photos and put the viewer in an entirely different mood. Whether it’s the early morning light, an amazing cloud formation during the middle of the day, or a killer sunset at night, they all make for a good background (or subject) for your photos.
Mr. Andertho has given us two great examples here. The photo above would be very average if it weren’t for the wispy clouds and subtle hues. The sky and morning light make this shot heavenly and give you a peaceful feeling. Conversely, the sinister clouds (not to mention the horse from hell) give the photo below a very dark and evil mood, making you feel that the end might be near.
So the next time you look out your window and see something other than a blue or gray sky, grab your camera and run! You may be surprised with your results.
This past weekend, Tiff and I headed up to Pittsburgh to see her parents and go to her HS reunion. On the way up on Friday afternoon, we had the most amazing confluence of color and texture, and there I was, nowhere to pull off the road, no tripod to shoot from. My inner shutterbug was screaming at me: “Can’t you see this sky is perfect?? Dark black clouds, some sun streaming through, and all these fall colors! You IDIOT! Get off the road and get out your camera!”
Sigh. Next year.
Go to Kansas, you’d love the blues, purples, pink-ish oragnes, etc. Of course some of the most prolific sky shots are in the middle east, so I’d steer clear and settle for a trip to the nations heartland…
Kansas?! Uhhhh….
I grew up in Colorado, and the only reason to go to Kansas is if you’re on your way to somewhere else (or if you’re going to watch CU play KU or KSU). I’ve found that there are some good people living in the heartland though, Republican or not.
I love cloud pics. I love their ethereal quality. Here’s a different exercise. Take a photo of a cloud, try to find a picture hidden within the outlines of the clouds, then draw accordingly. You can find an example of this here.