5 Essential Tips for Blue Sky Photography
“Photographing on blue sky days can be challenging due to the lack of sky interest. However, with the right techniques, you can turn these conditions to your advantage and capture stunning images. Here are five tips to help you make the most of clear sky days”
Tip 1: Shoot in Black and White
I used my polarising filter to darken down the blue sky to add drama.
Shooting black and white blue sky photography can help you embrace the high contrast. Use a monochrome picture profile and a polarising filter (I use this one) to achieve dramatic, jet-black skies. This technique turns the lack of sky interest into an advantage, creating striking images.
Black and white photography thrives on contrast, and blue sky days provide the perfect conditions for this. The harsh light can create deep shadows and bright highlights, which are ideal for monochrome images. The key is to look at your scene differently, focusing on shapes, lines, and textures rather than colours. By planning to shoot in black and white, you can shift your mindset and look for compositions that will benefit from this approach.
Be careful with the polariser if shooting at a wide angle. If set too strong you can get an inconsistent darkening of the sky that looks unnatural. As an alternative, you can darken down the sky in post production instead.
Tip 2: Use Long Exposures
I captured this image of Bow Fiddle Rock, Scotland at a relatively slow shutter speed of 1/3rd sec in order to add some foreground drama.
Long exposures can add drama and simplicity to your blue sky photography. Focus on capturing movement in water, such as waves at the coast or ripples in a lake. Combining black and white with long exposures can result in powerful and compelling images, especially on blue sky days.
Even without clouds, long exposures can transform a scene by smoothing out water and adding a sense of calm and serenity, or sometimes ‘shorter-long exposure’ (see image) can add drama and interest to your image. This technique works well at the coast, by rivers, or near waterfalls. Use a tripod and ND filters (I use these) to control the light and achieve the desired effect. The extended exposure time can turn choppy water into a silky smooth surface, adding a dreamlike quality to your images.
On days when there are a few clouds in the sky, very long exposures can capture the subtle movement of the clouds, adding a dynamic element to your composition. This can create a beautiful juxtaposition between the still elements of the landscape and the moving sky, enhancing the sense of drama in your photographs. By extending the exposure time to several minutes, you can turn slowly drifting clouds into soft, streaky patterns that complement the rest of your scene. Bear in mind that you may need a remote shutter for anything over a 30 second shutter speed (check your camera’s capabilities).
Tip 3: Embrace Minimalism
I photographed this singular sea-thrift flower on the Isle of Mull, Scotland
Minimalist photography works well on clear blue sky days. Simplify your scenes by focusing on singular subjects and clean compositions. Use elements like trees or rocks to create interest, and position them against the plain sky for a stark contrast.
Minimalism is about stripping down the elements in your frame to the essentials. With a blue sky, this approach can create powerful images that emphasise the simplicity and beauty of the landscape. Look for lone trees, solitary rocks, or isolated buildings to be the focal points of your compositions.
When composing minimalist shots, pay attention to the placement of your subjects. Using the rule of thirds can help create balanced and visually appealing images. Additionally, consider the negative space created by the clear sky. This space can enhance the prominence of your main subject and add a sense of scale and isolation.
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Tip 4: Focus on Textures and Patterns
I found the texture in this frozen puddle to be a useful foreground element.
As was briefly discussed in Tip 1, looking for textures, patterns, and shapes in your environment is the key on clear sky days. These elements can add visual interest to your blue sky photos, especially when the sky lacks detail. Frozen puddles, rocky surfaces, and foliage are great subjects to explore.
Textures and patterns can be found everywhere, think of the intricate details of tree bark or the ripples in a sand dune. On clear sky days, these details can become the main subject of your photos. Try using a macro lens or get close to your subject to highlight these features.
Consider how light interacts with these textures and patterns. Side lighting, often present in the early morning or late afternoon, can enhance the appearance of textures by creating shadows and highlights. This can add depth and dimension to your blue sky photography, making them more engaging.
Tip 5: Take Advantage of Golden Hours
I used the soft golden light from the right-hand-side to my advantage when composing this image. See how I captured this shot here on YouTube.
Even on clear sky days, the golden hours around sunrise and sunset provide the best light. The soft, warm tones can enhance your blue sky photography photos, adding depth and richness. Don't miss these opportunities to capture stunning landscapes.
The golden hours are known for their beautiful, soft light that can add a magical quality to your photos. During these times, the sun is low in the sky, casting long shadows and bathing the landscape in a warm glow. Plan your shoots around these times to make the most of the light.
Additionally, golden hour light can help mitigate the harshness of midday sun. The warmer tones and softer shadows can create a more pleasing and balanced image. This is particularly important on clear sky days when the sun is unobstructed by clouds.
Get Excited About a Blue Sky Forecast!
Love the blue sky days!
Photographing on clear sky days requires a different approach, but with these tips, you can turn challenging conditions into creative opportunities. Embrace black and white photography, use long exposures to capture movement, simplify your compositions, focus on textures, and take advantage of the golden hours to capture stunning images.
Blue sky photography should be seen as an opportunity rather than a limitation. By adapting your techniques and focusing on different elements of the landscape, you can create compelling and unique photographs that stand out.
Thank you for reading! If you have any additional tips or thoughts on photographing on clear sky days, please share them in the comments below. For more insights and inspiration, check out my YouTube video on this topic and subscribe for more photography adventures.