Dull grey weather? Adapt your photography to the conditions

Sunday 24 December 2023, 13:31 by Nando Harmsen | 3,478 views | 3 comments

This article was translated from Dutch with the help of AI. Read the original.

You look out of the window and see dull grey weather. There is no detail in the sky, and everything feels grey and unattractive. You can either give up and feel sorry for yourself, or adapt your photography.

Photographing in beautiful weather conditions, or in challenging conditions which I recently wrote about, is fantastic. It is inspiring and often has a positive effect on your mood.

Look at shapes and try things out with, for example, the arrangement of areas.
The way good photography conditions have a positive effect on your mood, poor photography conditions can have a negative effect. Especially when the light is uniformly grey, without any detail in the sky and without any shadows.

Minimalism can work perfectly in dull grey weather.
These are situations when you may not even want to leave the house to go out photographing. Because where is the fun in this kind of uniformly grey light? It never produces good photos, does it?

And yet, when you adapt your photography to the conditions, it can still be very inspiring. Adapt your photography to the conditions. Even when the weather is dull and grey.

Try something creative in black and white. Such as ICM, for example.
Go and photograph abstract things. Choose minimalism. Use black and white for your photo. If necessary, choose a completely different subject. This creates a challenge, and it can ultimately be inspiring. Who knows, you may get new ideas and find ways to photograph something in a truly unique way.

You can also start using abstraction in your images. This can be done in many different ways. Try things out.
So don't be put off by so-called bad weather conditions. Take the opportunity to step outside your comfort zone and photograph something different or in a different way. Dare to try things out and discover that dull grey light can also be photogenic.

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About the author

Nando Harmsen has been photographing for more than 40 years. He specialises in wedding photography and landscape photography. Nando also gives talks, workshops, masterclasses and photo trips, and regularly reviews new and interesting equipment.

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3 comments

Ad Bervoets wrote on Tuesday 26 December 2023 at 10:48 | reply
That's right, Nano. Over the past few days I've been out walking between the showers. And I made an abstract black-and-white photo of the rolling landscape in South Limburg with a row of trees as black silhouettes in the background. I think the photo turned out beautifully.
Translated from Dutch.

Govaerts wrote on Wednesday 27 December 2023 at 09:51 | reply
I completely agree with the story and share Nano's opinion. But, shouldn't the photographer be careful in rainy, drizzly weather and more specifically with regard to his camera, which is exposed to moisture? What protective measure do you recommend?
Translated from Dutch.

Nando wrote on Saturday 30 December 2023 at 11:04 | reply
Of course you have to watch out for rain. But it’s not so extreme that a drop of water already means disaster. Most cameras can take a bit of rain. But a rain cover is recommended if you’re really taking photos in the rain.
Translated from Dutch.

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