Tips for photography in dull grey weather?

fallbayuk · 10 Feb 2013 at 20:25

I've only recently got a DSLR but the weather's been crap ever since it arrived as is normal in this country for about 8 months of the year. In such dull grey conditions, what does everyone do to try and create the best exposure possible? Is it a case of just bumping up the ISO? And generally speaking what do you do in lightroom to improve your photos taken in this sort of weather?

I'm off to Paris next week and the weathers pretty similar over there at the moment so want to not screw up as many photos as possible.

James J · 10 Feb 2013 at 20:34

Depends what you are taking a photo of to be honest. If you are taking photos of people etc when you go to paris, instead of buildings and landscapes, I'd personally take a flash along for fill in situations. Allows you to ensure that your subject is properly exposed and interesting compared to how dull a simple grey overcast day can make things turn out.

D.P. · 10 Feb 2013 at 21:07

Overcast is great for some types of photography, you are basically working in 1 big soft box. Macros are especially good, anything where you are up close will work well. Architecture is fine if you avoid too much sky.

ElDude · 10 Feb 2013 at 23:37

Cheat. Photoshop a sky in after altering the WB

fallbayuk · 10 Feb 2013 at 23:42

ElDude said:
Cheat. Photoshop a sky in after altering the WB

I'm mostly worried about minimising camera shake as I seem to be a bit of a shakey person. If it's dull, my shakiness is more apparent because of the slower shutter speeds. That's what I think is happening anyway, hence I thought upping the ISO would help.

An Exception · 11 Feb 2013 at 00:24

Up ISO or use a faster lens or a stabilised lens, or both.

JBuk · 11 Feb 2013 at 01:49

Use a flash or two with some gels to create more interesting light on your subjects

AHarvey · 11 Feb 2013 at 02:07

flash is good for dull days, but not if there's drizzle unless you've got a lot of time and skill.

If you are struggling with shake and don't fancy lugging a tripod/monopod about, try this:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LLlJl7TbXTA

D.P. · 11 Feb 2013 at 02:36

AHarvey said:
flash is good for dull days, but not if there's drizzle unless you've got a lot of time and skill.

If you are struggling with shake and don't fancy lugging a tripod/monopod about, try this:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LLlJl7TbXTA

That is pretty cool for places tripods are not allowed.

ShakenNstirred · 11 Feb 2013 at 09:14

AHarvey said:
flash is good for dull days, but not if there's drizzle unless you've got a lot of time and skill.

If you are struggling with shake and don't fancy lugging a tripod/monopod about, try this:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LLlJl7TbXTA

I have one of these, yes its not as cheap as a nut/washer n string but does work great
http://www.7dayshop.com/photo-video...pod-camera-stabiliser-a-tripod-in-your-pocket

Mp4 · 11 Feb 2013 at 09:39

Awesome idea!

sold

apeksdiver · 11 Feb 2013 at 09:53

Monopods are light and easy to use, I got one from 7dayshop for £7

Talon · 11 Feb 2013 at 10:02

ShakenNstirred said:
I have one of these, yes its not as cheap as a nut/washer n string but does work great
http://www.7dayshop.com/photo-video...pod-camera-stabiliser-a-tripod-in-your-pocket

That might actually be worth a punt to try out.

a1ex2001 · 11 Feb 2013 at 10:25

If your shooting landscape/scenary then cut the sky off as much as possible or go black and white to make it more interesting, couple of Paris examples to wet you appetite

Eiffel Tower on Day One by a1ex2001, on Flickr

The Louvre by a1ex2001, on Flickr

If shake is the problem, never be afriad to up the iso, I'd much rather a noisey sharp shot than a blury noise free one, if you doing b&w conversions of nasty grey skys you can further hide the noise to a certain extent as well.