Why cloudy days can be good for photos
Clouds spread sunlight across the whole sky, which works much like a very large softbox. The result is soft, even light with gentle shadows and less squinting. Colors often look richer because there are fewer bright highlights, and you can shoot at nearly any hour. If you struggle with harsh midday sun, an overcast day can be a welcome change. Our guide to the best time to take photos compares it with other lighting conditions.
Why cloudy-day photos can look flat
If photos taken on grey days look dull, there are common reasons:
- The sky is white or grey and takes up much of the frame.
- There is little contrast or directional light, so the image lacks depth.
- Overcast light can be slightly cool and bluish.
- The camera may underexpose a bright sky, leaving subjects dim.
All of these can be improved with framing, exposure, and editing.
Cloudy day photo ideas
Portraits and pets
Even light is flattering for faces and fur. Place your subject facing the brightest part of the sky, which often adds a soft glow in the eyes. Because there are no strong shadows, you can shoot in open areas rather than hunting for shade.
Close-ups of flowers, leaves, and textures
Soft light helps wet leaves, petals, and bark show detail without glaring highlights. Move in close and look for patterns, raindrops, or interesting edges.
Waterfalls and streams
Overcast light lets you use slower shutter speeds to blur moving water without overexposing the image. A tripod helps. Using a polarizing or neutral density filter is common, but not required on a dim day.
Pops of color
Grey backgrounds make bright objects stand out. Look for colorful doors, umbrellas, coats, murals, or autumn leaves, and place them in a muted scene.
Black and white
Low contrast skies suit monochrome images that emphasize shape, texture, and tone. Try architecture, fences, trees, or street scenes.
Moody and misty scenes
Fog, low cloud, and drizzle can give a quiet, atmospheric feel. Look for single subjects such as a tree, a lamp, or a person with an umbrella, set against a simple background.
Forests and woodland
Dense trees can be tough in sun because of dappled light. Under overcast skies, light is even, which makes forests easier to photograph.
Rainy day photoshoot ideas
- Use an umbrella, clear or colorful, as a prop for portraits.
- Photograph reflections in puddles and wet pavement.
- Capture raindrops on windows with a shallow depth of field.
- Shoot through a window with the room interior in the frame.
- Try city lights at dusk on wet streets.
- Protect your camera with a cover or at least keep it dry, and wipe the lens often.
If rain is heavy, shooting from indoors is easy. See our guide to the best time of day to take photos inside.
How to make photos look good on a cloudy day
- Limit the sky. Crop tight or frame low to avoid a blank white sky, unless the clouds have dramatic texture.
- Expose for your subject. Many photographers brighten the exposure slightly, often by a fraction of a stop to a stop, to lift shadows. Check your highlights as you do.
- Add contrast through color and shape. Use bright clothing or objects and strong lines.
- Watch white balance. If images look cool, warm them a little in camera or editing.
- Find some direction. Position subjects near a wall or tree line so that light comes more from one side, which adds shape.
Camera settings
Light is lower than on a sunny day, so you may need a wider aperture or higher ISO. For moving people, keep the shutter speed fast enough to avoid blur; see shutter speed for portrait photography. For still subjects like waterfalls or landscapes, a tripod lets you use slower speeds.
Editing
A small amount of editing helps flat images. Raise contrast slightly, adjust exposure, add warmth if the scene looks cool, and consider darkening the sky a little. Keep changes modest so skin tones stay natural. A free mobile app is enough for these adjustments, and our comparison of common photo editing apps can help you pick one. If you are new to this, our guide on taking professional photos at home includes a simple editing routine.
The “2/3 rule”
People sometimes ask about a “2/3 rule.” It usually refers to a version of the rule of thirds, where the frame is divided into thirds and the subject or horizon is placed along those lines. On cloudy days, it can help you give the sky one third and the land two thirds, or the reverse if the clouds are interesting. It is a guideline, not a requirement.