With this post I’m pondering the movement of clouds. While out shooting I frequently find myself waiting until the clouds move into a scene in such a way that they enhance my composition. Once in optimal position I have to be quick because the best alignment possible never lasts long. Most of all I look for balance in the clouds, and of course, the composition as a whole. Images including a substantial portion of the sky but lacking cloud interest usually end up in my computer’s trash can. Clouds can add drama or whimsy, a somber feeling, or one of peace … and more. Here are a few recent photos where I feel the quality of the clouds worked in my favor. With spring finally here, and more areas accessible, I’m hoping for some interesting clouds to capture, and watch, as they come and go!
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Denise Bush's Photo Blog 
Beautiful cloud studies!
Thank you for stopping by to look and leaving a comment so I know you were here! 🙂 I’m glad you like!
Well done! I love clouds, too.
Thanks Bruce! As you know, they can make or break a landscape image! 🙂
I totally agree, Denise. Some people think that in landscape photography you have all the time in the world, but often things move quickly so you have to be ready. For that reason I often find a tripod a hindrance.
The clouds move especially fast in the spring when it’s windy. With one back seat folded down in my Forester I can keep my tripod fully extended so it’s ready. I never regret using it. Often I have the scene all set up and I just wait for the near clouds to move one way or another.
I need to practice more!
Crazy Cloud Sunset for the win! When I got out to shoot the first place I look is up! Agreed. Clouds add so much. As usual, a wonderful set of images and compositions.
Me too and I often go in the direction of the most interesting clouds. Thanks Carlos!
Lovely set, Denise. The best drama in a scene comes from the clouds and the play of light. I can appreciate how delicate the timing must be!
Thanks Eliza … appreciate your visit and comment! Glad you like!
Beautiful photos! Clouds definitely add a twist to the story the photo is telling. Great compositions.
Thanks very much! Glad you like my comps!
The crazy desert storm alike clouds in the last one is just breathtaking, appeals to my climate mode…..
Thanks Hans! That land form, Storm King is at the end of a mountain range. I can see it from my house but this photo was taken a few miles away. Here’s the post that features Storm King:
https://denisebushphoto.wordpress.com/2024/03/11/a-view-from-home/
I’m a big fan of clouds. These landscapes are already beautiful but I definitely appreciate the various cloudscapes that accompany them. Very nice selection!
Thanks very much kewtiebird! I’m hoping some nice clouds develop today. Feeling like my camera and I need to get out! 🙂
All of these cloud images have their own personality. I really like the crazy clouds. So much to look at and see the different patterns they have made.
They do add personality, don’t they? Yesterday I saw a cloud that looked like Bernie lifting his leg. We are very proud he started doing that at 15 weeks! 😀
Good work looking at many sides now. What drama you caught in “Crazy Cloud Sunset.”
I’m in Amarillo, Texas, this morning. Yesterday I dealt more than once with what you described: “I have to be quick because the best alignment possible never lasts long.” One problem after noticing an ephemeral cloud configuration can be finding a safe place to pull over to photograph it. As you noted, if you’re already out on foot and notice something shaping up, you can wait it out.
Yes Steve … I looked at clouds from both sides! I hear you on finding places to pull over. Here pulling over could mean falling down a cliff! There is often no shoulder. Thanks for your visit and comment!
Yes, no doubt clouds always add interest to landscape photos, even on those days when we may be disappointed that the clouds take away the light we were looking for on our subjects. As you said, clouds change quickly, especially if windy, so I usually make a series of shots as the clouds change, rather than waiting and hoping for a “perfect” arrangement, then hope at least one of those shots will be “the one”. However, as an amateur and lacking in the more artistic judgment, I might not be as capable of judging which is “the One”, as you. Keep posting those wonderful photos!
That’s one way to do it Ken! I do that some too. I hope my art degree, career in illustration and design and 25+ years of photography passion is a help to me! You are doing great and of course, I’ll keep posting! 🙂
We sure do get some good clouds here for photos! I love when they make the sky either colorful or moody and dramatic. Your sunset photos are my favorite!
Thanks very much Diana! We’ve had some pretty clouds lately and it seems like an especially cloudy April/May so far. We got some hail earlier today.
The clouds in the final photo are so dense and turbulent. And aglow! Clouds really are amazing. Do you ever see a totally cloudless sky?
Oh yes … we get a lot of them and I don’t go out shooting unless I have a composition without sky in mind. People call them bluebird days and sports enthusiasts, hikers, skiers, etc. love them. Thanks for visiting Neil!
All lovely; the sunset photos are my favourites!
Thanks Belinda … it’s hard to resist a pretty sunrise or sunset!
The last photo is a wild one! The mountains look like they should go and hide. 😉 The golden sunrise is very appealing, with all that color and drama, but I also find the subtlety of the second-to-last image beautiful. Clouds and mountains are your constant companions, aren’t they? 🙂
Thanks for realizing the appeal of the subtle clouds in the second to last … that’s what got my attention. That last one is Storm King again but from a vantage point other than our property this time. Yes … I don’t know where my photography would be without clouds and mountains! 🙂