Matthew Durr Photography

Clouds are infinitely interesting, yet hard-to-frame subjects in photographs. When observed from the ground floating around with all their randomness, the sight can be mesmerizing. The only problem is recreating the feeling in a photograph, specifically with straight frame lines in a box. The two elements don’t mix.

This problem then usually makes it easier to just treat clouds as part of the scenery rather than a subject such as in most landscapes (a fluffy-cloud sky is usually more appealing than a solid color sky). Thankfully, there are a few times, such as storms or sunsets, where clouds can still be captured front and center with all their power and beauty. Getting that effect straight out of a camera…

…can be very difficult to do, especially in adverse shooting conditions. I’d go as far to say this shot is just terrible as-is. No definition, no contrast, no POWER.

I know what I saw when I took this photograph. I saw a raging storm front on the approach, with lower-level clouds seeming to get sucked into the horizon. I visualized something of a super-shade over the water, a dominating force of nature clad in blue. This is what my mind’s eye saw:

Storm on the Beachfront
105mm, ISO 100, f/5.6, 1/800

Did I go a little overboard? Meh, maybe. But it’s my mind, it sees whatever it wants to. Besides, this would just look really cool printed on a poster. I am pretty tempted… 🙂

Take care guys and gals, thanks for dropping by!