Which do you like better for outdoors, cloudy days or bright sunny days?

Question

i guess it depends on what you are taking images of, but in a general way, which do you like better. Or maybe partly sunny?

sorry I forgot to add this is for Taking Pictures or Images.

Answer 1

cloudy days. less monotonous, less harsh, more inviting, and more suitable for contemplation.

Answer 2

Like you said, it depends on the subject. It also depends on the desired end result.

If you ae looking for a more flat lighting, then cloudy days are good, or a sunny day in full shadeworks great too.

If you are looking for bright sunlight, then there are some things to consider. If you are shooting after the first 2 hours of the day and before the last 2 hours of the day, then the light is more or less directly overhead and you'd want to use fill flash.

If you are shooting in the "golden hour"(the hour just after sunrise and just before sunset, then the light takes on a different color, different mood.

Both cloudy and sunlight have their places.

Answer 3

Except for shooting the sky, I like shooting early morning, or late afternoon.

The colors are warmer and the contrast is better. In the middle of the day, the shadows all like low, under the subject, and much of the dramatic contrast is lost. For example, a shot of a person's face, at noon, will make the eyes seem sunken, and hidden beneath an exaggeated brow. (think Frankenstien's monster) Highlights are blown out while shadows are pitch black. Makes it hard to adjust exposure to fix BOTH situations.

But, when the light is lower, toward the horizon, the light is softer, warmer and lights a face from the side. The highlights are less harsh, allowing an exposure to be set to for showing details in the shadows.

In the same way, landscapes and architectural shoots are better in this light.

Answer 4

doesnt bother me much, overcast is great for the large light source give no or little shadow

http://flickr.com/photos/martini2005/2015840071/

then again sunny days give strong hues and help with saturation, add a polariser and pop

http://flickr.com/photos/martini2005/1841374596/

sunny days do require more patience and timing, often i wait for the sun to move or tilt, or time the job to be there 30minutes before the sun is in the right place

http://flickr.com/photos/martini2005/1944240415/

i do find the best magic hours are at the end of a sunny day

http://flickr.com/photos/martini2005/2015298512/

outdoors is easier and more difficult that studio, in the studio one is god when it comes to creating images, so any effect can be imitated

outdoors take patience and experience alot, i know exactly what time is sunset and sun rise, i also can tell the light conditions ahead of time from experience,

hope you got something out of my rave......

gry has answered you well

a

Answer 5

Buy Circular Polarizing Filter for contrast images,do not matter what seasons,so long there will a strong sunlight shining on to the subjects,they will give best images.

Answer 6

I try to use 400 ISO only in very shaded or indoor lighted areas. Sunny outside places I use 200 or lower.

Answer 7

partly cloudy- more interesting skies, the light can shift, and you can wait for a cloud to either arrive or pass, depending on what you have in mind. Light's not as contrasty either.

Answer 8

Bright sunny days.

Answer 9

For portraiture, cloudy every time.