The Digital Photo Experience

The weather has been all screwy this week here on Maui. We have had scorching sunshine, thick volcanic haze (which we call vog), strong trade-winds, and heavy rain all within a few days. I had to shoot two portraits during heavy rain, and both came out really well. Whew!

We photographers always keep an eye on the local forecast. Regardless of whether we are out to make an image of a person, or a mountain, messy weather can cause stress. So here’s my advice; cooperate with the weather, because you can’t change it.

• If there are stormy looking skies, try shooting an HDR to enhance the ominous-looking clouds.
• When the sky is cloudless, a polarizing filter will make colors really gorgeous.
• During high winds, I enhance the motion blur of things like trees, and hair, and water, within photoshop by painting in some selective horizontal motion blur. This helps create a mood.
• If there are scattered rain showers, drive until you find the rainbow.
• If you are surrounded with a thick haze, smog, or vog; be ready for a gorgeous orange sunset.
• Overcast skies make a wonderful giant softbox when shooting a portrait. Grab a small gold reflector and fill some warm glow onto one side of your subject’s face.
• In heavy rain, just find a big awning or balcony to work under, and shoot a bunch of fun, experimental stuff, including off-camera flash, of your client. Then offer a second re-shoot as gift to them. They may actually choose the rainy day portrait over the sunny day shots!