Friday, September 13, 2013

Nice Clouds

A few nights ago we experienced some really interesting evening cloud formations.  When you get into photography very much, as well as concsiously watching the seasons change, you start noticing the sky, and I certainly noticed it this night. 

 
It was a really interesting cloud pattern, after a clear sunny day.  The clouds moved over quickly, eventually scattered across the entire sky, in wispy lines like these, all appearing to come from one direction out of the west.  Even my widest angle lens can only capture a small part of the sky.

All the clouds appeared to originate in the vicinity of the setting sun, and at this point the sun was below our horizon.  At first it really wasn't a colourful sunset, but it looked like it might become one, so I got my tripod and waited.

Soon the clouds did start turning slightly pink.  By this time, they covered the sky, and there was a little bit of colour everywhere, a weird experience of light, with it coming to you from all directions, like the atmosphere was saturated with it.

Then it did start to turn pink and orange.  This view is northwest, showing the pattern of clouds starting to move across the northern sky.  It was as if the clouds were exploding in slow motion in all directions from the point of the setting sun.

And this view is southwest, showing those clouds, which moved steadily into the southern sky.

It all finished up with a pretty respectable sunset, though this picture is only the core of it, where the sun had set half an hour previously.

This was partly a learning exercise for me, as I edited these to eliminate the roof-line of our house in a couple of the photos.  I think the best way to improve your photography is often to try something and learn by trial and error.  It worked this time.

Check out other views of the sky here:

15 comments:

  1. You do have some very interesting cloud patterns and that is a beautiful sunset! I am new to Skywatch Friday, and all I could find was blue skies to post. But I did manage to find some crows to add a little interest.

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  2. I'm a sky watcher too Elaine. These are great photos of a very beautiful sunset sky. Interesting cloud patterns.

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  3. Very beautiful sunset pictures. That last one is a real stunner! :-)

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  4. Wow, gorgeous series. The clouds lit up with beautiful colors. Lovely captures! Have a happy weekend!

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  5. Wow, gorgeous sky shots with lovely patterns and intensity in sunset colors.

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  6. WOW! These are just absolutely wonderful! Again, I have no words...they are gorgeous!!

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  7. Stunning! How fortunate you had such a vast view of the sky for such a spectacular sunset.

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  8. What an amazing set of photos! I love them!
    Cheers from Cottage Country Ontario

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  9. That's really nifty how the clouds seem like rays.

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  10. Oh these are wonderful I think Ontario skies come to life in the cooler weather!

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  11. Trial and error is definitely the way I learn. I just wish I could learn more quickly!

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  12. What a colors....wow great capture

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  13. First time visitor - Wow - you really captured the clouds . I really love the changes as the sun was setting and that last photo kinda gives the impression that the skyline is on fire. Beautiful Capture. I shall return for I enjoyed the few posts I have browsed through. Have a wonderful day :)

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