How to improve a dull and boring cloudy photo?

**sbh** · 11-26-2017, 04:45 AM

Agree. Software can't fix everything, at least not on my skill level.

I personally try my best to get the most in–camera so I don't have to rely too much on post processing. Sometimes the conditions are limiting what we can get, but I think that is also a challenge to creativity.

ccc_ · 11-27-2017, 06:11 AM

i'm a lazy post processor
as a consequence I have lots of tools that perform specific functions

after running the samples in this post through a variety of apps I found photomatix gave me the most satisfactory output in the least amount of time

as long as you are careful the tonemapping solution can give quite pleasing results

**Rondec** · 11-27-2017, 06:17 AM

Originally posted by Bui

Great edit, great advice. This is the output I have after running it through Photoshop and Lightroom (I'm an amateur of both). I overplayed with some effects, but that's not the point :-)

Conclusion: I understand I can't take any bad photo and rely on software to have a perfect one, but there is definitely room for improvement for almost any photo. If not, what's the point of post processing?

Yes, I'm sure we can find photographic opportunity at any time, any place, under any condition, providing that we're creative enough (I'm not that good though), and by no mean I said photos can only by taken at dawn and dusk ;-) at the same time, I'm sure, for any limited time trip, to visit some of the most beautiful places of your destination, you won't wish for cloudy weather, because you are not able to return to it the next days to wait for the right chance ;-)

Thank you all for your help.

I definitely would look at Nik Effects. At least at this point, it is still free and has a lot of tools to tweak photos. I would just caution that the same as with Topaz Suite, you need to be a little careful as it is easy to push photos into the garish zone, but I use Color Efex Pro and Silver Efex a lot and they really are simple to use and can add more zip to a photo.

ccc_ · 11-29-2017, 10:04 AM

late last year I went out to get my car worked on
it was a lovely autumn day...that turned grey and cold in fairly short order
however I shot quite a few landscapes hoping to get something salvageable

this is a typical edit...probably five to ten minutes start to finish

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11-26-2017, 04:45 AM	#31
sbh Site Supporter Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Black Forest, Germany Photos: Gallery Posts: 849	Agree. Software can't fix everything, at least not on my skill level. I personally try my best to get the most in–camera so I don't have to rely too much on post processing. Sometimes the conditions are limiting what we can get, but I think that is also a challenge to creativity.

11-27-2017, 06:11 AM	#32
ccc_ Veteran Member Join Date: Aug 2015 Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,400	i'm a lazy post processor as a consequence I have lots of tools that perform specific functions after running the samples in this post through a variety of apps I found photomatix gave me the most satisfactory output in the least amount of time as long as you are careful the tonemapping solution can give quite pleasing results

11-27-2017, 06:17 AM	#33
Rondec Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Gladys, Virginia Photos: Gallery Posts: 27,650	Originally posted by Bui Great edit, great advice. This is the output I have after running it through Photoshop and Lightroom (I'm an amateur of both). I overplayed with some effects, but that's not the point :-) Conclusion: I understand I can't take any bad photo and rely on software to have a perfect one, but there is definitely room for improvement for almost any photo. If not, what's the point of post processing? Yes, I'm sure we can find photographic opportunity at any time, any place, under any condition, providing that we're creative enough (I'm not that good though), and by no mean I said photos can only by taken at dawn and dusk ;-) at the same time, I'm sure, for any limited time trip, to visit some of the most beautiful places of your destination, you won't wish for cloudy weather, because you are not able to return to it the next days to wait for the right chance ;-) Thank you all for your help. I definitely would look at Nik Effects. At least at this point, it is still free and has a lot of tools to tweak photos. I would just caution that the same as with Topaz Suite, you need to be a little careful as it is easy to push photos into the garish zone, but I use Color Efex Pro and Silver Efex a lot and they really are simple to use and can add more zip to a photo.

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