Trying to find a way to spend some outdoor time while still socially distancing? You might want to try chasing some clouds. Whether you want to photograph them or just sit back and enjoy the view, this is a surprisingly fun way to spend a few hours or an entire day!
" The sky is the daily bread of the eyes. "
Ralph Waldo Emmerson
I first became interested in chasing clouds when I was looking for some good examples to photograph to use for reference in a painting. As I was sitting on a hill in the country, photographing the clouds, a storm started building in the distance. I was so fascinated with the colors and shapes and movement of these clouds, that before I knew it, the storm was almost upon me, lightening and all! Later, as I was researching types of clouds, I realized that the cumulonimbus clouds I was photographing were storm clouds, sometimes referred to as thunderheads. Fun to watch and photograph, but be ready to seek cov!er because they sometimes move very fast!
After that experience, I started noticing the different types of clouds and the weather that went along with them.
I have always enjoyed photographing clouds and painting them, and now I realized that I could plan for the type of clouds that I wanted.
Consciously deciding which clouds work best for my paintings or photographs:
The type of cloud you choose will depend on what look or mood you are intending on creating
In general, there are three layers of clouds that can exist independently of each other.
Low level: cumulus, stratus, stratocumulus
Mid-level: altocumulus and altostratus
High-level: cirrus, cirrocumulus, and cirrostratus
This photo was taken at Camp Nelson in Jessamine Co. KY 2020
Types of clouds
Study a cloud chart and decide which type of clouds you want to see and start watching the skies. Get ready to take off at a moment's notice and have a great day chasing some clouds!
Photographing clouds
Use clouds as the main subject of your photograph, or as a backdrop for another
subject...
Use the soft golden glow and orange tones of late afternoon in the summer to create a feeling of warmth and the freedom of enjoying a summer day.
Use the cool tones of blues and greys to create drama with the look of an impending storm.
Use clouds to accentuate and bring attention to a subject.
So, grab your camera or phone, a chair or blanket, some snacks and a drink and plan on spending an enjoyable morning, afternoon, or entire day appreciating the miracle and gift of a cloudy sky!
Did you know that patches of colorful light that sometimes appear beside the sun are called sun dogs?
If you spend any time at all watching and being aware of clouds, you will more than likely see a sun dog for yourself like this one I saw at Heritage Park!
What a beautiful and glorious gift of nature!
Living my artful life! Pam
* All photos in this post were taken at Heritage Park (Camp Nelson) in
Jessamine County KY
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