Cloudy weather and rain - part 1

For the first part of this exercise comparing photographs in direct sun and cloudy conditions, I used the same subjects as the previous exercise; Guildford Castle and the sundial.

Sundial in direct sunlight

Nikon 18-200mm at 56mm: Iso 100 f5.6 for 1/400th second

Sundial in overcast sunlight

Nikon 18-200mm at 56mm: Iso 100 f5.6 at 1/60th

Observations

The light level in overcast sunlight is between two and half and three stops less based on the shutter speed difference. Furthermore, the sunlit photograph seems slightly brighter on average than the overcast light version.

As regards colour, the light blue-grey surface of the sundial appears to be slightly more saturated in the overcast light. There would appear to be a slight blue tinge to this photograph. Recalling the experience of trying to gauge saturation and brightness of colours in the previous part of this course, however, the effect might instead be caused by the darker tone in overcast light, and it might not in reality represent a change in saturation.

The dark shadows in the sunlight version bring out the shapes of the figures and make the sundial stand out from the wall.

On the other hand, the pale gold markings on the surface of the sundial are slightly obscure in the sunlight version, whereas these are more clearly visible in the picture taken in overcast light. This is probably due to the different direction of sunlight, rather than its intensity.

Guildford Castle in direct sunlight

Nikon 18-200mm at 18mm: Iso 100 f5.6 for 1/180th second

Guildford Castle in overcast sunlight

Nikon 18-200mm at 18mm: Iso 100 f8 for 1/80th second

Observations

The light level in overcast sunlight based on the shutter speed and aperture settings would appear to be only about 1 stop different, which was surprisingly little. I believe that the explanation for this may be that the tones in the photograph in overcast light are significantly darker than those in the photograph in bright sunlight (even though both were taken with zero exposure compensation).

There is quite a definite blue cast to the photograph taken in overcast light.

The photograph of the castle in overcast light is quite dull compared with the photograph in bright sunlight, even though in both cases the the light is from the front. The shadow areas are quite small lit from the front, but in bright light they still make the structure stand out better, especially the windows in the upper floor. Also the colour of the stone of the tower is more vibrant in sunlight and it contrasts more strongly with the white coloured ruined wall just in front of it.

Library photographs taken in overcast light

Apples and pears

Nikon 18-200mm at 20mm: Iso 100 f7.1 for 1/60th second

The soft shadows of the overcast light reveal the shapes and smooth texture of the fruit, without the need for more intense light. Furthermore, the colours are more saturated without the bright highlights if there had been direct sunlight.

Caterpillar

Nikon 18-200mm at 200mm: Iso 400 f5.6 for 1/180th second

The caterpillar was moving through a small bush that would have been in the shade if the sun had been shining. Its pale yellow colour contrasts quite effectively against the mid red of the leaves. The overcast weather means that the background colours are muted, whereas on a sunny day, these would have been bright and distracting.

Conclusions

The qualities of bright light and overcast light are quite different, but I have not generally in the past planned deliberately to use these qualities. At most, I have sought to adapt the type of photographs that I have taken to the prevailing conditions.