Project 23: soft light

During July this year I spent three days walking a round of the Cairngorm 4000 foot summits with my brother.  Although we had an excellent time the weather was putrid overcast at all times and on days 1 and 3 when we were on the tops constant heavy rain.  Day 2 was a transit day when we moved camp from the Lairig Ghru to Glen Derry.  Although dry in the valleys it was overcast all day.  I took these two shots on this day and used an ND grad in post processing in Lightroom to reduce the whiteness of the sky.

A shot taken in Glen Luibeg looking towards Derry Lodge.  The cloud has acted as a diffuser and given soft lighting with no harsh shadows.  The ND grad has balanced the exposure in the sky and given an interest in the clouds.

A view looking up Glen Derry towards our overnight campsite.  Again soft lighting under a cloud covered sky.

This third image was taken in the Carneddau mountains of Snowdonia coming down Pen Yr Ole Wen looking across to Tryfan and the Glyders beyond.  Again I was walking with my brother in less than perfect conditions.  We were in cloud all day until we descended towards the valleys.

Again soft lighting with no harsh shadows and loads of detail.  I again used the ND grad facility in Lightroom to balance the exposure in the sky.  I am very pleased with the interest in the clouds.

Learning. The soft, overcast lighting provided by cloud cover can enhance detail in a scene and remove deep shadows.  The use of an ND grad can balance the exposure in the sky if necessary and provide interest in the clouds.