Ideas to Enhance Your Weather-Focused Photography
Hey there, photography buffs! Here's a thrilling new series dropping on our Member Page every week - a cavalcade of 7 photography tips, including captivating quotes, inspiring snaps, and exciting assignments! While most of these badass tips are exclusive to our esteemed Members, we'll be graciously sharing some of our prime-time intel with y'all, starting with our inaugural post. So, let's dive in:
1. Where Rainbows Reign
For any bumblers out there not already clued into this one, now's the time to clear your calendar: anytime it's both drizzling and sunny, make like a westward-bound cowpoke and gaze in the opposite direction of the sun. That's where you'll find the elusive rainbow (unless the sun's too high, and it sinks towards the horizon, making it impossible to spot without access to a cliff or edge).
2. Catch the Fickle "Pink Hour"
Preppin' for sunrise and sunset shots on a cloudy day? Here's a pro tip: don't count yourself out just yet! On those moody, misty days, cast a keen eye to the horizon, and you might just witness the miraculous "Pink Hour" – a brief, breathtaking moment when the entire sky morphs into a vivid, saturated hue of pink. Keep an eye on days with ground fog matching wispy high-altitude clouds, and you'll find yourself square in its path.
3. The Enduring Full Moon
Solely into the Milky Way? Piece of advice: steer clear of the full moon, buster! Not just because its brightness wrecks havoc on your nighttime shots, but because that celestial sphere hangs high in the heavens throughout the entire night. For those sleepless nights when you're keen on a crescent moon or half-moon instead, give it a gander to see if it drops below the horizon during your shoot.
4. Unlocking Milky Way Elevations
And while we're on the subject of astral bodies, here's another nifty trick for capturing that dreamy Milky Way core in all its splendor: it ascends to its zenith during the months of June and July (don't worry, Southern Hemisphere peeps, our Arctic brethren share this joy as well). Make a note in your calendar, and keep an eye on the moon schedule for a fantastic fusion of cosmic artistry.
5. Morning Fog – The Terrible Twin of Sunrise
Think sunrise and sunset are basically the same beast (although reverse-o)? Acknowledge the night owl within, but give a stern high-five to the early birds of the world. Here's why: sunrise frequently outshines (pun fully intended) sunset due to an extra layer of magic: dew and fog. Set your alarm for goldmine moments, when that dew begins to evaporate under the tender rays, and the wonderland unfolds before your lens.
6. The Dust Lover's Upside & Downside
This one's a bit of a see-saw: when the dust settles – or rises (volcanic eruptions, forest fires, or pollution, anybody?) – it casts a spellbinding spectacle upon sunrise and sunset shoots. Once you've captured that awesome shot, though, remember to monitor air quality, and don't linger under the spell for too long.
This Week's Download:
"Bad weather makes for good photography."
- Not entirely sure who originated this famous quote, but it doesn't matter who said it 'cause it rings true – and loud! My personal collection of mint condition snaps attests to the fact that some of my greatest shots are from mad weather days (sandstorms, sub-freezing temp tussles, the works). Get out there and capture the crazy, but make sure it's safe.
Forget the sunshine, grab your camera, and brace yourself for some wild, totally unpredictable weather! Until next week, happy shooting, ya beautiful photography renegades!
- On cloudy days aiming for sunrise or sunset shots, look towards the horizon and wait for the "Pink Hour," a transient moment when the sky transforms into a vivid pink hue, especially on days with ground fog and matching high-altitude clouds.
- For landscape photography enthusiasts, remember that rainy and sunny conditions can lead to the appearance of elusive rainbows when gazing in the opposite direction of the sun.
- To capture the Milky Way core during its zenith, schedule your shoot during the months of June and July, and pay attention to the moon schedule to avoid disruptive light from the full moon.
- When photographing sunrise, take advantage of dew and fog for an additional layer of magic in your shots, as the dew evaporates under the gentle rays, creating a wonderland before your lens.
- When shooting in dusty conditions, such as during sandstorms, volcanic eruptions, forest fires, or pollution, remember to monitor air quality and not to linger too long, as the resulting photos can have a spellbinding spectacle.
