To get the most pleasing photos of clouds, there are a few things you need to consider regarding the gear you use, the composition, and the camera settings.
In this introductory tutorial on how to photograph clouds, we’ll address each of these topics in-depth; that way, you will have a strong base of knowledge to create the most impactful photos.
Without further ado, let’s get started!
Table of Contents
- How to Photograph Clouds: You Need a Polarizing Filter
- How to Photograph Clouds: Concentrate on Interesting Compositions
- How to Photograph Clouds: Use the Right Camera Settings
How to Photograph Clouds: You Need a Polarizing Filter
photo by Marco Crupi via Shutterstock
Of all the filters you should have in your camera bag, a polarizing filter is the most important.
Polarizers offer a ton of benefits, including reducing glare off of water and minimizing atmospheric haze, which makes distant objects in the landscape appear crisper and cleaner. With regard to photographing clouds, polarizers boost the contrast in the sky, making the atmosphere a deeper blue and the clouds a brighter white.
The pop that results from this improved contrast is a great asset to have when taking photos of clouds during the daytime – rather than having a sky that’s dull and washed out, you have one that jumps out of the image.
How to Photograph Clouds: Concentrate on Interesting Compositions
photo by Zeropopsci via Shutterstock
Very seldom are photos of clouds by themselves all that compelling.
To spice up the composition, you need to add elements that provide interest and appeal to the image without taking attention away from the structure, shape, and color of the clouds.
For example, adding even just a hint of the landscape below the clouds, as was done above, helps ground the image and give viewers a better understanding of the sheer size and scale of the clouds in the shot.
photo by HE68 via Shutterstock
Alternatively, you might compose the shot without any of the landscape showing at all. In the image above, the lightning bolt provides everything you need from the visual appeal department!
As another example, you can incorporate a much greater portion of the landscape in the photo without diminishing the impact of the clouds if there is a reflection in the image.
photo by Sierralara via Shutterstock
The photo above demonstrates this perfectly – the color and shape of the clouds are on full display both in the sky and in the water’s reflection, so even though the mountain occupies a large part of the frame, the clouds still have a ton of appeal.
If you photograph clouds as sunset, a good asset to have in your camera bag is a quality reverse graduated neutral density filter. These filters are made specifically for shooting at sunrise and sunset when the brightest part of the sky is just above the horizon.
To accommodate that, these filters have their darkest tinting in the middle to bring down the brightness of that area. The tint then lightens as you extend above and below the midline to help you turn featureless skies and landscapes into something breathtaking.
Low-Angle Cloud Photography
Another tip you might consider helpful for creating interesting compositions of clouds is to shoot from a low angle. Doing so can help you incorporate elements of the landscape into the shot, as discussed earlier. Likewise, low-angle photos of clouds benefit from the forced perspective of trees or cityscapes – these elements look much taller and more foreboding when shot from a low perspective.
Capturing low-angle shots of clouds often requires creative and stable solutions, especially when you’re looking to avoid camera shake or blur in your images. For those moments when a full-size tripod isn’t practical, the Octopad proves to be an invaluable tool.
What is Octopad?
I’ve relied on the Octopad for years in both photo and video work, and its thoughtful design makes it an exceptional tripod alternative. For photographers focused on dramatic low-angle compositions, such as capturing sweeping cloudscapes, the Octopad XL is an even better choice. Its weighted, non-slip base stays firmly in place on flat, inclined, or slippery surfaces, making it a versatile support solution for a variety of terrain.
One of its best features is the ability to achieve low angles effortlessly without the hassle of unfolding tripod legs. This compact platform lets you position your camera close to the ground for those awe-inspiring perspectives of cloud formations, all while ensuring stability. The weighted design eliminates concerns about tipping over, even on uneven surfaces, and the non-slip grip keeps your setup secure.
The Octopad XL’s 360° ball head and 1/4″ mounting interface make it compatible with cameras, smartphones, and accessories, offering flexibility for creative angles. Unlike mini-tripods or suction mounts, the Octopad provides superior stability and won’t fail you in challenging conditions. Its small footprint also makes it incredibly easy to transport, allowing you to bring it along for on-the-go photography sessions without weighing you down.
Whether you’re chasing low-light cloudscapes or experimenting with creative angles, the Octopad is a dependable companion. Its compact, stable design empowers you to focus on framing the perfect shot rather than wrestling with setup challenges—making it a must-have for every photographer’s kit.
How to Photograph Clouds: Use the Right Camera Settings
photo by soft_light via Shutterstock
When photographing clouds, the key camera setting you need to master is shutter speed (learn more about shutter speed in our camera basics article).
At a very basic level, if you want to retain the shape of the clouds as you see them, you need to use a fast shutter speed to freeze their movement. If you prefer a dreamy, blurry look to the clouds, you’ll need to extend the shutter speed.
Things are a little more complicated than that, though not overly complicated…
When you want to freeze the movement of clouds, try the following settings as a good place to start:
- Exposure mode: Shutter priority (S or Tv on your camera dial)
- Drive mode: Single shot
- Aperture: f/11
- ISO: 200
- Shutter speed: 1/200 seconds
Determining the camera settings to blur the motion of clouds is a little more complex because you’ll need to extend the shutter speed, and to do that, you’ll need a neutral density filter (in most cases).
In the video above, Mike Perea offers a detailed look at how to blur the movement of clouds with and without a neutral density filter. The tutorial is a must if you want to elevate your creativity level when photographing clouds.
With that, you have a little more insight into how to capture beautiful photos of clouds. Give each of these tips a try and see how they can positively impact the photos you create!
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Hero photo by Locomotive74 via Shutterstock
