How to use the weather and light to improve the film yield?

it is said that,Landscape photographylive at the mercy of the elements. During the shooting, we will encounter various weather conditions. Although the red clouds are beautiful, it is impossible to encounter fire clouds every time we shoot. Moreover, if all the photos are red clouds, it will also cause aesthetic fatigue.

Especially during the journey, you can’t choose the right weather to shoot in the same way as you do at your home. Any weather condition is possible. If you are lucky, you will get red clouds, but you will also encounter dark clouds or light plates.

Photography uses light to paint. Light is closely related to weather. The atmosphere of the same scene under different weather and light conditions is completely different. Being good at making use of the best creation time of various weather and light will help to improve the film production rate.

Example analysis of shooting in various weather conditions

aboutLandscape photographyFor example, common weather can be divided into two categories: cloudy and cloudless. Clouds can be divided into burning clouds and dark clouds. Cloudless conditions can be divided into facing the sun and facing away from the sun, which are completely different light conditions. Facing the sun is what we usually call a light plate sky. Backlight and high light ratio must be balanced with a filter. Backward facing the sun is a smooth day, and the Venus belt will be seen at the intersection of the horizon.

The basic concepts of different types of light, such as backlighting metering, will not be repeated. Usually, the articles that explain light are explained with examples of different scenes. This article will use a group of examples taken in the same scene, but in different weather and different light conditions to explain how to use the best light in various weather to create. I believe that photos of the same scene can more intuitively explain the problem.

Ice beach in Iceland has been photographed for many times. In various weather conditions, let’s take a look at this group of photos:

These photos show the appearance of the ice sand beach under different light conditions. There is no difference between good and bad light. As long as the light is used properly, it is good light. Here we will analyze the light characteristics of the four photos one by one.

Fire cloud

In Iceland, which is famous for its bad weather, it is a blessing to meet such burning clouds, and it is also the luckiest sunrise of my several trips. When encountering this kind of cloud, no matter the camera or mobile phone, it is very easy to make films, as long as you pay attention to exposure and composition.

clouded over

Scattered light, light ratio is not large, using the characteristics of light in the blues period to highlight the cold and lonely atmosphere. Compared with burning clouds, it is more conducive to the expression of emotions in photos. This photo is also one of the photos I like very much.

cloudless

Unless shooting auroras in the starry sky, landscape photographers do not like a clear and cloudless sky. When encountering light plate days, they should seize the best creative time, and the light color rendering effect is the strongest when the sun rises for 10 minutes. This photo shows the reflective effect of sunlight hitting the ice. It is difficult to take such transparent ice under other weather conditions.

Venus belt

Before sunrise and after sunset, a pink purple color band will appear on the horizon opposite the sun, which is called the Venus belt. Usually, photos taken at this time will show a very beautiful tone because of the soft light and soft colors.

The time of Venus belt above the horizon is very short, about 20 minutes will gradually fade, and the light and color during this period are also gradually changing.

　

The color shown in the left photo in the above figure is the most beautiful few minutes in the time of Venus Belt. Above the horizon, there are completely pink and purple tones. After a few minutes, the color will slowly fade up and gradually merge with the blue sky, which is the scene in the right photo.

Light characteristics during shooting

There are two very important shooting times in landscape photography, the prime time of sunrise and sunset, and the blues time before sunrise and after sunset. The light discussed in this paper is also based on these two periods.

Prime time refers to half an hour after sunrise and half an hour before sunset. Due to the low angle of the sun, it is close to the horizon and shines on the clouds in warm colors, and there are often brilliant sunrise and sunset.

In contrast, the blues period refers to the dark blue color in the sky before sunrise and after sunset when the sun is between – 40 and – 60 below the horizon. At this time, the light ratio of the sky and the ground is close, and the light is very soft,

For prime time and blues time, fully understand the light characteristics of these two periods, and show the meaning of the work through the rendering of light.

Blues period

Prime time

The above picture was shot at the same time in Bombo, and the dark and thick blues period is quite different from the gorgeous and dazzling prime time.

Various weather light types

Understand the different types of light that will appear in various weather conditions, and use the shape and color of light to help express the artistic conception and atmosphere of photos.

a sunny day

In sunny weather, there are many kinds of light, and both prime time and blues time are creative spaces. However, clouds in the sky are different from cloudless ones. Clouds will make the picture more vivid. High altitude clouds are more colorful than low altitude clouds in prime time, and there will be a transition from red to orange to golden yellow. If the upper and lower clouds are staggered, the picture will be more layered and three-dimensional. The distribution of cloud amount can be analyzed through weather forecast website and satellite cloud map.

overcast

The light in overcast days is mostly scattered light, and the sky is covered by low clouds. Even in prime time, the sun may not be able to penetrate the thick clouds, so the photos taken in overcast days are mostly blue.

In the early days of shooting scenery, I always expected the weather of red clouds. I also made various researches, which made me snobbish. It was not until my experience of shooting in bad weather in Northern Europe gave me a fresh understanding of the concept of good weather, and finally realized the true meaning of “extreme weather produces blockbusters”.

Although there is no gorgeous color in cloudy days, you can use a long exposure to shoot the flowing feeling of clouds.

　 The photo was taken in Thredbo, New State. The left picture shows the colorful clouds at sunrise in the morning, and the right picture shows the dark clouds at dusk after the sun turns sunny

Rain/fog/snow

It is difficult to give an accurate and appropriate definition of atmosphere. This is a feeling that can only be understood but not explained. It is the emotion and feeling that the photographer conveys to the audience through various renderings. Rain, fog, snow and other weather are the best materials to create an atmosphere, which can create a serene, quiet or oppressive and dignified mood, and can cover up many messy details and simplify the picture.

The fog of “Twilight Mountain” creates a sense of hierarchy, similar to the expression of traditional Chinese painting

Reina in the Snow uses a fast shutter speed to stop snowflakes flying in the air

Between Water Clouds The sky is drizzling, and the mountains are surrounded by clouds, as if between water clouds

The coming rain The thunderstorm cloud before the storm has a strange shape, which is suitable for expressing a sense of gravity