IN THE FIELD: Stormy Weather And Great Light
A few days ago, I was driving past our local orchard as it was just starting to drizzle. Which wasn’t surprising, since heavy rain was forecast for the early part of the morning.
I was passing the rows of peach trees, and the color of the leaves under the overcast sky was too much to resist. I had to pull over get a few pictures….before the skies let loose, the wind kicked up and stripped the trees of all that color.
Shooting under overcast conditions can provide fantastic light for more saturated color. The clouds act as a diffuser, and sometimes just before the rain starts, the light will get brighter. This allows for lower ISO settings and faster shutter speeds. It doesn’t always happen this way, but when it does, it’s a great opportunity to capture great light.
Camera settings for both photos were ISO 200, cloudy White Balance, 1/100 @ f3.5. Handheld.
Peachy keen! (snicker) Love the colors.
You are too funny! The leaves were glowing under that light!
SO pretty, David! Those colors have definitely brightened up my morning!
Glad to be of assistance Karen. It was really neat being surrounded by all that color!
Wow!! David, you nailed these. My thoughts on photographing in overcast weather has always been the same as yours. That second photo is like a wonderful painting.
Thanks Bob, the light was wonderful and amazingly bright in the orchard for such an overcast morning. I’m debating whether to post a photo I took seconds later of the Christmas tree farm across the street. That illustrates the light and impending storm pretty well.
Superb photos – the colours are just glowing. Truly beautiful!
Thanks Jo, the overcast light really brought them to life! This has ben an unusual Autumn. Many trees lost their leaves early with not much color, and others are really putting on a show!
Beautiful colour! A wonderful sight.
They sure were a sight to see! This year the blueberry bushes look like Burning Bushes…Euonymus! The color is amazing!
These are unreal – something about the way the leaves are hanging in the first one that looks just too story-bookish. But they sure are lovely.
Glad you enjoyed them..The leaves dangle that way all year on this variety of peach tree. Other varieties grown there are more upright. It’s a nature thing I guess!
Gorgeous photos! I don’t think I’ve ever noticed these trees before, but I’ll look for them now. Amazing colors!
Thanks Tricia, and hurry before they are all on the ground! Although that would make a nice photo too!
So luscious, David.. Great saturation on these overcast rainy days.
I love shooting in that kind of light…although it’s been pretty foggy and rainy as of late. But I’ll figure out a way to get some shots.
Fabulous colors! I thought they were peach trees.
Most of our autumn colors are on the ground now. We had heavy downpours, and then our first snowstorms the last couple of days, which knocked down many leaves. We are surrounded by LOTS of trees, so raking is quite a chore.
The leaves around here are dropping quickly also and I would bet by next week they will all be on the ground due to hurricane Sandy. Last year I finally broke down and bought a leaf blower…I think it will be put to use next week after the storm! Wow snow already!!! Crazy weather…I think mother nature is doing her 7 year house cleaning!
These are just beautiful! Don’t you love it when there is light like that!
I sure do…in fact I was out shooting this morning under overcast skies due to the impending storm/hurricane. the light was nice and even and we even had a light mist to intensify the color more!
Gorgeous fall colors, love that second shot too!
Thanks Donna, I love shooting in overcast light…the colors really come alive !!! I wonder if there are any leaves left on the peach tress after the windy weather we all just went through…
really love the second shot, they look like peppers to me
Hey…they do look like peppers! I never saw the peach tree leaves turn such vibrant colors until this year. What a treat!