Image of the Day: Tuesday August 26th August 26, 2008

Image: 43-00514255
Title:  “Skateboarding”
Contributor: Michael Svoboda            

Why we like it:  In this retro-cool suburban skateboarding shot, Michael Svoboda uses a tilted low-angle view and motion blur to show off the rolling stock. Vintage tube socks and sneakers seal the deal for this inspired image.

The low-angle view helps to fill the frame with visual interest – and reduces the amount of the potentially distracting bright white sky that is visible.

Shooting under overcast skies can be a challenge (especially for us here in the Pacific Northwest as we get these days all too often). What looks like a textured grey sky to our eyes is usually rendered as an expanse of over-exposed white when captured with a camera. This is because the overcast sky is actually brighter to the camera’s light meter than a sunny blue sky. With a few exceptions – most cameras simply cannot capture the very wide range of tones presented under cloudy skies. You must choose whether you want a correct exposure of the sky, or a correct exposure of your subjects and scene on the ground.

Despite this, you certainly don’t want to let a cloudy day keep you from giving your camera a workout. Shooting on an overcast day can be fantastic as the light falls softly and evenly.

Click here to see tips for working under an overcast sky…