The Importance of Clouds in Landscape Photography

Professional landscape and nature photographer Ian Plant discusses the importance of weather and clouds for landscape photography. He talks about how the “magic hour” light of sunrise and sunset can interact powerfully with clouds to create dramatic landscape scenes, and how the soft light of twilight can be useful for making peaceful landscape shots.

See all videos in our Photographing the Badlands Course:

• Photographing the Badlands—Course Preview
• Photographing the Badlands: Course Introduction
• The Best Lens for Landscape Photography
• Photo Scouting in Landscape Photography
• Advanced Scouting in the Badlands
• Assessing Your Scene
• Working the Scene to Get the Best Shot
• The Importance of Clouds in Landscape Photography
• Photographing a Sunrise Landscape
• Lighting Direction for Your Photos
• Midday Photography Light
• Photographing a Sunset in the Badlands
• The Art of Exclusion
• Identifying a Visual Anchor for Your Shot
• Photographing Rain and Lightning in the Badlands
• Using Leading Lines to Create Compelling Landscape Compositions
• Photographing the Badlands: Wrap-Up